Cleaning Device with Movable Unit for Conveyance Roller Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning devices for image forming apparatuses are inefficient in cleaning the surface of conveyance rollers, leading to residual dust and ink adhesion, which can cause image defects and equipment wear.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a cleaning unit and movement mechanism that includes a contact surface extending along the axial direction of the conveyance roller, allowing for effective cleaning and easy mounting/removal, utilizing a web and rollers to remove dust and ink from the roller surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cleaning device with a web and pressing roller is used, then the cleaning mechanism is simple, but the cleaning efficiency is low and dust/ink residue remains on the conveyance roller surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into multiple independent cleaning units, each with its own cleaning element (cloth or sponge) and drive mechanism. Each cleaning unit can be independently controlled to clean different sections of the conveyance roller, improving overall cleaning efficiency while maintaining modular simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning elements are designed to rotate along with the conveyance roller through frictional contact, creating a dynamic cleaning action that adapts to the roller's speed and pressure requirements. This dynamic interaction enhances cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex drive mechanisms
2Ease of repair
If the cleaning unit is designed to be easily mounted and removed, then maintenance becomes simple, but the mounting and removing position must be below the cleaning position
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit incorporates a movable arm mechanism that can dynamically change its position between a working position (where the cleaning element contacts the conveyance roller) and a removed position (where the cleaning unit is detached for maintenance). This dynamic positioning allows easy removal while maintaining proper cleaning geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently mounted and removed from the main device body. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and replace cleaning elements without disassembling the entire device, simplifying maintenance while accommodating the position requirements
3Reliability
If the contact surface of the cleaning part extends along the axial direction of the conveyance roller, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the cleaning unit becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element is designed with a curved surface that matches the cylindrical shape of the conveyance roller. This curvature allows the cleaning element to wrap around the roller, providing extended axial coverage while maintaining a compact cross-sectional profile, thus improving cleaning coverage without significantly increasing the cleaning unit's volume
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element uses a flexible cloth or sponge material that can conform to the roller's surface and extend along its axial direction. This flexibility allows the cleaning element to provide extensive coverage area while maintaining a thin, space-efficient structure that does not significantly increase the overall cleaning unit volume
4Measurement precision
If the pair of spring members is used to suppress rotational force, then the cleaning unit positions accurately at the cleaning position, but the spring members add to the device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring members automatically engage and disengage based on the cleaning unit's position. When the cleaning unit approaches the cleaning position, the spring members naturally compress and provide the necessary counterbalancing force to hold the unit in place, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control mechanisms to achieve positioning accuracy
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 ensures stable and efficient cleaning of the conveyance roller surface, reducing image defects and extending the lifespan of the equipment by effectively removing dust and ink, while allowing for easy maintenance and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The pair of spring members is elastically deformed between the fixing members and the support members so as to suppress a rotational force of the fixing members generated by the drive unit from being applied to the support members
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes a cleaning unit and a movement mechanism. The cleaning unit includes: a cleaning part that has a contact surface extending along an axial direction of the conveyance roller and cleans the surface of the conveyance roller by bringing the contact surface into contact with the surface of the conveyance roller from below, and a cleaning housing that supports the cleaning part. The movement mechanism moves the cleaning unit between a cleaning position and a mounting and removing position below the cleaning position. The movement mechanism allows the cleaning part to be brought into contact with the conveyance roller at the cleaning position, allows the cleaning part to be disposed below the conveyance roller in a separated manner at the mounting and removing position and allows the cleaning unit to be mounted on or to be removed from an apparatus body.