Conveyance Roller Cleaning via Periodic Web Take-Up
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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, and a controller with a separation and contact mechanism, which determines the conveyance state of the roller and controls the cleaning process to effectively remove dust and ink from the conveyance rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a web is used to clean the conveyance roller, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the web length is limited and requires periodic take-up operations which reduce productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device implements periodic take-up operations of the web at predetermined time intervals during the cleaning process. The controller is configured to perform take-up operations multiple times within a cleaning time period, allowing the web to be refreshed periodically while maintaining continuous cleaning action on the conveyance roller. This resolves the contradiction by structuring the cleaning process as periodic action rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device dynamically adjusts the cleaning process by rotating the conveyance roller during web take-up operations. The conveyance roller rotation control unit rotates the roller while the take-up roller performs take-up operations, ensuring the cleaning process continues dynamically without interruption. This allows the system to adapt between cleaning mode and web replacement mode seamlessly.
2Reliability
If the web is continuously pressed against the conveyance roller for cleaning, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but ink transfer to the web increases causing sheet conveyance failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic separation of the web from the conveyance roller by performing take-up operations at predetermined time intervals. During these intervals, the web is removed from contact with the roller, preventing continuous ink transfer. The controller manages this periodic contact-separation cycle to maintain cleaning effectiveness while minimizing harmful ink accumulation on the web.
Solution Approach 2:
The take-up operations are performed at predetermined time intervals before excessive ink transfer occurs. By proactively refreshing the web surface periodically, the system prevents the web from becoming saturated with ink that would cause sheet conveyance failures, rather than waiting for problems to occur.
3Reliability
If the conveyance roller is rotated during cleaning, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the risk of sheet conveyance interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance roller rotation is implemented periodically during cleaning operations, with controlled rotation intervals that prevent interference with sheet conveyance timing. The controller coordinates roller rotation with the printing cycle, ensuring rotation occurs during appropriate windows when sheets are not in the cleaning zone, thus maintaining both cleaning coverage and sheet conveyance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the conveyance roller rotation speed and timing based on operational conditions. During cleaning mode, the roller rotates to provide comprehensive cleaning coverage; during sheet conveyance mode, the rotation is adjusted or paused to prevent interference. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between cleaning thoroughness and conveyance safety.
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 device ensures prolonged cleaning of conveyance rollers using a web with a limited length, reducing the risk of sheet conveyance failures and image defects by ensuring the rollers remain clean and free from ink adherence.
Implementation Method 1
The web cleans the surface of the conveyance roller by being brought into contact with the surface of the conveyance roller
Implementation Method 2
paper dust adhering to a surface of each resist 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 separation and contact control unit, a conveyance roller rotation control unit, and a take-up control unit. The separation and contact control unit is configured to control a separation and contact mechanism so as to allow the web to be pressed to the conveyance roller when the conveyance roller is in a non-conveyable state. The conveyance roller rotation control unit rotates the conveyance roller in a state where the web is pressed to the conveyance roller. The take-up control unit is configured to allow the take-up roller to perform a take-up operation of taking up the web by rotatably driving the take-up roller plural times at a predetermined time interval within a cleaning time set in advance in a state where the conveyance roller is being rotated.