Cooling Unit Guide Plate Slits Sheet Eraser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image erasing devices inefficiently cool sheets after decoloring, leading to heat accumulation that deteriorates scanned image quality due to toner adherence on scanner glass surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cooling unit featuring guide plates with slits and fans that direct cooling air along the sheet conveyance path, ensuring efficient heat dissipation and preventing heat accumulation, thereby maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cooling fan is mounted downstream of the platen roller and heat source to cool the sheet, then the sheet can be cooled after erasing, but the cooling efficiency is insufficient and heat accumulation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple cooling fans positioned at different locations (upstream and downstream of the platen roller) rather than relying on a single fan. The guide plate is also segmented with multiple cooling air introduction holes distributed along the sheet conveyance direction, creating multiple cooling zones that work together to efficiently remove heat from the sheet throughout its travel path.
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling air is introduced at multiple specific locations along the sheet conveyance path rather than at a single location. The guide plate has cooling air introduction holes positioned at different points, and cooling fans are placed both upstream and downstream of the platen roller, providing localized cooling where heat accumulation is most problematic.
2Measurement precision
If the sheet is conveyed to the scanner for sorting after decoloring, then sheet quality can be assessed, but high sheet temperature causes toner to adhere to the scanner glass surface, deteriorating scanned image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling action is performed in advance before the sheet reaches the scanner. By positioning cooling fans upstream of the platen roller and incorporating cooling air introduction holes in the guide plate along the conveyance path, the sheet is cooled during its travel through the erasing unit, ensuring that the sheet temperature is sufficiently reduced before it arrives at the scanner for image quality assessment.
3Productivity
If multiple cooling fans and guide plates with slits are added to improve cooling efficiency, then sheet cooling performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide plate serves multiple functions: it guides the sheet through the erasing unit and simultaneously introduces cooling air through its cooling air introduction holes. The platen roller not only performs the erasing function by pressing the sheet against the heat source but also works in conjunction with cooling fans to cool the sheet during conveyance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
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 effectively cools the sheet post-decoloring, preventing heat accumulation and ensuring high-quality scanned images by uniformly distributing cooling air through the conveyance path, thus enhancing the reuse of sheets.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling unit cools the sheet which passes through the conveyance path and includes at least one fan that supplies cooling air generally along a sheet conveying direction
Implementation Method 2
An erasing unit erases an image formed on the sheet by heating the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A device for cooling a sheet includes a conveyance path for the sheet between a first unit and a second unit. The conveyance path is formed of guide plates arranged in an opposed manner and through which the sheet is conveyed. A cooling unit cools the sheet which passes through the conveyance path, the cooling unit including at least one fan that supplies cooling air generally along a sheet conveying direction. At least one slit is formed in each of the guide plates. At least one introduction wall extends from one of the guide plates and guides cooling air from the at least one fan through the at least one slit and into the conveyance path.