Cleaning Roller Drying via Squeeze Member and Periodic Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport devices with wet cleaning rollers are prone to deterioration due to prolonged exposure to cleaning liquid, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential contamination of the medium being transported.

Innovation Solution

A transport device with a cleaning roller featuring an absorbent member that absorbs cleaning liquid, a squeeze member to reduce excess liquid, and a supply unit that switches between supply and non-supply states to prevent excessive wetting, combined with a spray unit for drying, ensures effective cleaning and prevents roller deterioration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cleaning roller remains wet with cleaning liquid to maintain cleaning effectiveness, then the cleaning ability is improved, but the cleaning roller deteriorates due to prolonged exposure to cleaning liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidservice life of cleaning roller

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The supply unit operates periodically, switching between supply state and non-supply state. During the non-supply state, the squeeze member squeezes the absorbent member to remove excess cleaning liquid, allowing the cleaning roller to periodically dry while maintaining cleaning effectiveness during the supply state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The moisture content of the absorbent member is dynamically controlled by switching between liquid supply and squeezing operations. This parameter change allows the cleaning roller to alternate between wet cleaning mode and dry preservation mode, extending its service life while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the absorbent member absorbs excessive cleaning liquid to ensure continuous cleaning, then the cleaning capability is improved, but the cleaning roller deteriorates and may contaminate the medium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous cleaning capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk to medium

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system periodically switches between supply state (absorbing cleaning liquid) and non-supply state (squeezing to remove excess liquid). This periodic operation prevents excessive liquid accumulation that could lead to contamination while ensuring sufficient liquid is available for continuous cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The squeezing operation acts as a feedback mechanism to control the moisture level of the absorbent member. When the absorbent member becomes overly saturated, the squeeze member removes excess liquid, preventing contamination of the medium while maintaining optimal cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the cleaning roller is continuously supplied with cleaning liquid to maintain cleaning performance, then the cleaning performance is improved, but the complexity of the supply unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidcomplexity of supply unit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supply unit integrates two functions into one system: the squeeze member both removes excess liquid from the absorbent member and facilitates drying of the cleaning roller. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity while maintaining cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The squeeze member serves multiple purposes: it removes excess cleaning liquid from the absorbent member, dries the cleaning roller, and prevents contamination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall supply unit while maintaining cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 dries the cleaning roller, preventing deterioration and maintaining its effectiveness, while ensuring the medium is cleaned without adhesive force impairment or contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning roller including an absorbent member configured to absorb cleaning liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a squeeze member configured to contact the absorbent member and to squeeze the absorbent member as the cleaning roller rotates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS12259676B2Transport device and recording device

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A transport device includes a transport belt having a support surface configured to support a medium, a cleaning roller including an absorbent member configured to absorb cleaning liquid, and configured to clean the support surface as the absorbent member comes into contact with the support surface, a supply unit configured to supply the cleaning liquid to the cleaning roller, and a squeeze member to squeeze the absorbent member as the cleaning roller rotates in a state in which the squeeze member is in contact with the absorbent member. The supply unit is configured to be switched between a supply state in which the cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning roller and a non-supply state in which the cleaning liquid is not supplied to the cleaning roller, and the squeeze member squeezes the absorbent member while the supply unit is in the non-supply state.