Belt Cleaner With Elastic Roller and Reverse Drive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face contamination issues due to ink adherence on conveyance belts during paper jams, leading to potential contamination of subsequent paper sheets, which existing solutions fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A belt cleaner system comprising a cleaning roller made from an elastic material with liquid absorbency and a pushing member that elastically deforms the roller to absorb and push ink inward, combined with a counter cleaning roller to clean the opposite surface of the belt, driven in a direction opposite to the belt's normal operation to enhance cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning member is pressed against the conveyance belt to increase cleaning force, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the cleaning member may interfere with belt operation during image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. During image formation, the cleaning member retracts or lifts away from the conveyance belt to avoid interference. During cleaning operations, the cleaning member is pressed against the belt to provide effective cleaning force. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and operational interference.
2Productivity
If the conveyance belt is driven in reverse direction during cleaning, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive section is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the conveyance belt in the forward direction during normal image formation operations and in the reverse direction during cleaning operations. This multi-functionality allows a single drive mechanism to handle both conveyance and cleaning tasks, improving cleaning efficiency without significantly increasing control complexity, as the same controller manages both directional operations.
3Quantity of substance
If a cleaning roller made from elastic material with liquid absorbency is used, then ink absorption capability is improved, but the roller requires additional structure to push absorbed ink inward
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning roller is constructed from elastic material with liquid absorbency, utilizing porous or absorbent material properties to capture ink from the conveyance belt. The material's inherent porosity and capillary action enable effective ink absorption without requiring complex internal structures. The pushing member works in conjunction with this material property to mechanically press absorbed ink inward, combining material science with simple mechanical action.
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing member acts as an intermediary element that works together with the absorbent cleaning roller. While the roller material absorbs ink through its porous structure, the pushing member applies mechanical force to compress the roller and push absorbed ink inward toward the roller's core. This division of functions allows the system to achieve high ink absorption capability without making the roller structure itself overly complex.
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 system effectively cleans the conveyance belt by increasing the cleaning force and absorbency, reducing ink adherence and contamination risks, while minimizing interference with the belt's operation during image formation and extending the lifespan of cleaning components.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning roller made from an elastic material having liquid absorbency
Implementation Method 2
a pushing member configured to elastically deform the cleaning roller. The pushing member pushes liquid absorbed in the cleaning roller inward of the cleaning roller
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning roller is in press contact with a conveyance belt on the downstream side of a drive roller in a first direction. A controller controls a motor so that the conveyance belt is driven in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the cleaning roller cleans the conveyance belt.