Foam Roller Cleaning Device for Inkjet Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printer systems face challenges in effectively cleaning image receiving surfaces treated with surface preparation materials, as current methods like blade cleaners and web cleaners are inefficient, costly, and can damage the image forming surface, while foam rollers struggle with over-dried ink removal, affecting image quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A printer cleaning device featuring a roller with a cylindrical wall and apertures, using a foam material to hydrate and remove materials from the surface, with an actuator and controller for selective engagement and disengagement, and a wiper to remove excess fluid, allowing for efficient ink detachment and storage without high pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a blade cleaner is used to remove materials from the image surface, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the life of the image forming surface and blade cleaner is reduced due to high pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidlife of image forming surface and blade cleaner

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from high (blade cleaner) to low (foam roller), and changes the cleaning mechanism from mechanical scraping to chemical hydration and gentle mechanical removal, thereby extending component life while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical blade cleaner system with a combined chemical-mechanical foam roller system, where fluid hydration chemistry softens and loosens materials before gentle mechanical removal, reducing mechanical stress on components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a web cleaner is used to remove materials from the image surface, then redundant cleaning is improved, but the cost of consumable web materials and disposal increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredundant cleaningVSAvoidcost of web materials and disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive disposable web materials with a reusable foam roller that can be regenerated by flushing with fluid, eliminating continuous consumable costs while maintaining redundant cleaning capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers and reuses the foam roller through flushing with fluid to remove accumulated ink and debris, transforming a disposable consumable model into a recoverable and reusable system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the pressure of the foam roller is increased to remove over-dried ink, then cleaning capability is improved, but the skin layer splits and ink adheres to the blanket surface, adversely impacting cleaning and image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary chemical action by hydrating the skin layer and loosening ink with fluid before mechanical removal, softening the bond between ink and surface so that gentle pressure suffices, preventing skin layer splitting and ink adhesion to the blanket

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces fluid as an intermediary substance that mediates between the foam roller and the ink-skin layer, chemically facilitating ink removal by hydration and loosening, thereby enabling effective cleaning at low pressure without damaging the skin layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides reliable and efficient removal of materials from the image receiving surface at lower pressures, extending the life of the cleaning components and improving image quality by effectively handling both semi-wet and over-dried inks, reducing the effort required for cleaning and maintaining the surface's readiness for subsequent printing cycles.

Implementation Method 1

the deposited fluid hydrates materials on the surface of the blanket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydration: Mineral Hydration

Implementation Method 2

The cylindrical wall has a plurality of apertures to enable the fluid within the interior volume to pass through the cylindrical wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through porous material: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS9581954B2System and method for cleaning an image receiving surface in an inkjet printer

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A printer cleaning device cleans an image receiving surface with a surface preparation material, includes a roller having a perforated cylindrical wall surrounded by a foam material. The cylindrical wall has an interior volume for holding a fluid pumped into the interior volume by a pump. The pressurized fluid flows through the cylindrical wall into the foam material as the roller is moved into engagement with the image receiving surface. The roller is rotated in a direction opposition to a direction of movement of the image receiving surface to help the foam material to scrub the image receiving surface and apply the fluid to the surface. As the roller is moved away from the surface, the foam material expands to facilitate absorption of fluid and remove material from the image receiving surface. The foam material in one embodiment is hydrophobic.