Transport Belt Sponge Support Openings for Stable Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording devices face challenges in maintaining the cleaning efficiency of transport belts due to sponge compression, which leads to reduced liquid absorption and potential liquid seepage, compromising the ability to clean the outer peripheral surface effectively.
Innovation Solution
The transport device incorporates a support unit with openings in its support surface to allow the sponge to expand and reduce density, enhancing liquid absorption and preventing seepage, while a rotary member and negative pressure system further enhance the sponge's cleaning ability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sponge is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt, then the cleaning contact is improved, but the sponge density increases and liquid absorption ability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is designed with local variations including protrusions and recesses that create different pressure distribution zones. This allows certain areas of the sponge to maintain contact pressure for reliable cleaning while other areas remain less compressed to preserve liquid absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sponge is designed to dynamically adjust its compression state through the rotating mechanism. As the sponge rotates, different portions experience varying degrees of compression, allowing it to adapt between contact pressure and liquid absorption states during different phases of rotation.
2Reliability
If the sponge is compressed to increase contact pressure, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the liquid absorption capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge contact interface is segmented into multiple zones with different compression characteristics. The protrusions create localized contact points that maintain pressure for effective cleaning, while the recesses create low-compression zones that preserve liquid absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the compression parameter of the sponge dynamically through rotation. The sponge transitions between compressed states (for cleaning contact) and less compressed states (for liquid absorption), allowing both functions to be achieved at different times during the rotation cycle.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sponge density increases due to compression, then the contact stability is improved, but the liquid retention ability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface features localized protrusions and recesses that create different density zones in the sponge. Protrusion areas maintain higher density for stable contact, while recess areas maintain lower density for liquid retention, achieving both requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating sponge dynamically adjusts its density distribution. During rotation, the sponge portions experience varying compression levels that temporarily change their density, allowing the system to achieve both contact stability and liquid retention through temporal separation of these states.
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 solution effectively maintains and enhances the sponge's ability to absorb and retain cleaning liquid, preventing seepage and ensuring consistent cleaning performance by reducing density through expansion and utilizing negative pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a sponge (42) that comes into contact with the transport member (32) cleaned by the cleaning unit (36)
Implementation Method 2
at least one opening (49) is provided in the support surface (48)
Data Source
AI summary
A transport unit includes a glue belt, a cleaning unit, and a support unit. The glue belt can transport a medium. The cleaning unit can clean the glue belt with a cleaning liquid. The support unit includes a support surface capable of supporting a sponge that comes into contact with the glue belt cleaned by the cleaning unit. At least one opening is provided in the support surface.