Cleaning Device Web End Detection for Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning devices for image forming apparatuses are inefficient in maintaining the cleanliness of conveyance rollers, leading to sheet conveyance failures and image defects due to ink adherence on the rollers.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device comprising a strip-shaped web, a support roller, a take-up roller, a pressing roller, a solenoid, a displacement member, and a detection unit, controlled by a controller to effectively clean the conveyance rollers by determining web end exposure and optimizing take-up operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the web is continuously taken up by the take-up roller to clean the conveyance roller, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the web may run out and exposure of the web end occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit continuously monitors the web end position and provides feedback to the controller. When the web end is detected, the controller adjusts the take-up operation accordingly, preventing web exhaustion and ensuring continuous effective cleaning without exposing the web end.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary calculations based on the relationship between solenoid operations and web take-up amounts to predict when the web will end. This allows the system to proactively adjust operations before the web actually runs out, maintaining continuous cleaning effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the take-up roller operates frequently to maintain cleanliness, then paper dust and ink are removed effectively, but the web is consumed faster requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The controller optimizes the take-up operation parameters by adjusting the number of solenoid operations based on the specific cleaning requirements and web consumption rate. This allows frequent cleaning operations to maintain roller cleanliness while extending web usage life by replacing the web only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors web end conditions and performs take-up operations without manual intervention. The controller self-regulates the cleaning process by determining optimal web take-up amounts and timing, eliminating the need for manual web replacement and reducing downtime.
3Reliability
If the web is pressed firmly to the conveyance roller for effective cleaning, then contamination is removed better, but the web may tear or misalign
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing roller applies dynamic pressure to the web during cleaning operations, adjusting the contact force in real-time. This allows firm pressing for effective cleaning while maintaining web integrity through controlled, adaptive pressure rather than constant maximum pressure.
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 cleaning device ensures precise and efficient removal of paper dust and ink from the rollers, reducing conveyance failures and image defects, while allowing for timely web exchange and maintaining the apparatus's performance.
Implementation Method 1
The solenoid is operated with supplying of electricity to the solenoid and rotatably drives the take-up roller
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes a controller configured to control cleaning of a conveyance roller by a web. The controller includes a take-up control unit and a web end determination unit. The take-up control unit controls the solenoid such that the web is taken up by rotatably driving the take-up roller in a state where the web is pressed to the conveyance roller. The web end determination unit determines whether or not an end of the web is exposed on a support roller by a take-up operation of the take-up roller. The web end determination unit determines that the end of the web is exposed on the support roller when a detection result of a detection unit is not changed in spite of a fact that supplying of electricity to the solenoid is performed.