Modular Radial Impeller Drum for Printing Device Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing devices face challenges with heat generation and the difficulty in manufacturing large, wide internal rollers due to inefficient air flow in traditional impeller drums, which can lead to component failure and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular radial impeller drum is introduced, comprising coupled impeller modules with angled blades aligned in a helical pattern to maintain constant air flow velocity, fabricated via casting to allow for adjustable length and cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional extrusion techniques are used to manufacture internal rollers, then manufacturing process is simple, but manufacturing large and wide rollers becomes difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidability to manufacture large and wide rollers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller drum is divided into multiple modular segments that can be coupled together to form the complete drum structure. This segmentation allows each segment to be manufactured using standard extrusion techniques, while the modular assembly enables the creation of larger and wider drums without requiring specialized manufacturing equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If traditional impeller drum design is used, then structure is simple, but air flow velocity is not constant across the drum length, reducing cooling efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcooling efficiency consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller blades are configured with specific angular orientations and spacing arrangements that vary along the length of the drum segments. This local variation in blade geometry ensures that air flow velocity remains constant across the entire drum length, optimizing cooling efficiency at every position without requiring a completely complex overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If larger internal rollers are used to transport larger print media, then print media capacity increases, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint media size capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The internal rollers are constructed from multiple coupled segments, allowing standard manufacturing equipment to produce each segment at economical sizes. The modular segments are then assembled to create the required roller length, enabling the system to accommodate larger print media without proportionally increasing manufacturing difficulty or cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If heat dissipation is increased to prevent component failure, then component reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent failure preventionVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system utilizes segmented impeller drums with integrated air flow channels and blade configurations that promote efficient heat dissipation. The modular segment design allows the cooling system to be scaled and configured to match the heat generation profile of different printing device sizes without requiring overly complex cooling architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 modular design ensures consistent cooling efficiency across the printing device, reduces manufacturing costs, and accommodates various print media sizes, improving heat dissipation and air flow efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one blower coupled to an end of the first modular radial impeller drum to provide an air flow across a length of the at least one modular radial impeller drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of impeller blades coupled between the cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical center axis, wherein each one of the plurality of impeller blades are angled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpeller: Impeller

Data Source

PatentUS10870269B2Modular radial impeller drum for printing devices

Publication Date: 2020.12.22 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A modular radial impeller drum for cooling print media in a printing device are disclosed. For example, the modular radial impeller drum includes a plurality of impeller modules coupled together to form a surface to transport the print media. Each one of the plurality of impeller modules includes a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical center axis inside of the cylindrical outer surface, and a plurality of impeller blades coupled between the cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical center axis, wherein each one of the plurality of impeller blades are angled, wherein the plurality of impeller modules are coupled together such that the plurality of impeller blades of each one of the plurality of impeller modules are aligned across a length of the modular radial impeller drum.