Optical Scanning Device Scraper for Rail Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The optical characteristics of optical scanning devices in image forming apparatuses, such as copy machines and printers, deteriorate due to dirt and dust on the transparent covers of light emitting ports, leading to image failure, despite the presence of cleaning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanning device with a housing, transparent cover, screw shaft, cleaning member, and holding member, where the holding member reciprocally moves along a predetermined path driven by a motor, and includes a scraper member to remove foreign matters from the rail part, ensuring effective cleaning of the transparent cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning mechanism with a holding member moving along a screw shaft is used to clean the transparent cover, then the cleaning function is provided, but foreign matters accumulate on the rail part and enter the guide groove, causing the holding member to become stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful factor (foreign matters) from the system by introducing a scraper member that removes dust and debris from the rail part before they can enter the guide groove. This separation of the cleaning function into two parts: cleaning the transparent cover and cleaning the rail part, prevents contamination of the guiding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper member acts as an intermediary element between the holding member and the rail part. It mediates the interaction by preventing direct contact between foreign matters and the guide groove, thus protecting the guiding mechanism while allowing the holding member to move smoothly along the rail part.
2Reliability
If the holding member moves reciprocally along the screw shaft to clean the transparent cover, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the structure becomes more complex with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the holding member: it combines the cleaning function (via the cleaning member), the guiding function (via the guide groove), and the scraping function (via the scraper member) into a single integrated component. This reduces the number of separate mechanisms needed while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs cleaning of the transparent cover, guidance along the rail part, and protection against foreign matter intrusion. The screw shaft also serves dual purposes: driving the holding member and providing structural support.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the scraper member is positioned to scrape the rail part effectively, then foreign matters are removed, but the scraper member may interfere with the movement of the holding member
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper member is positioned at a specific location on the holding member where it contacts only the outer surface of the rail part, not the guide groove area. This localized scraping action removes foreign matters without interfering with the guiding function, as the scraper operates in a different spatial zone than the guide groove.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraping action occurs in a different dimensional space than the guiding action. The scraper member contacts the rail part radially outward from the guide groove, creating a separate interaction zone that prevents interference between the scraping and guiding functions while maintaining both effectiveness.
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 prevents foreign matters from entering the guide groove, ensuring reliable cleaning of the transparent cover and maintaining the optical characteristics of the scanning device, thereby preventing image failure.
Implementation Method 1
The holding member has a nut part screwed with the screw shaft and arm parts extending from the nut part to hold the cleaning member. The holding member reciprocally moves along a predetermined movement path by rotation of the screw shaft.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a housing. From an upper surface of the housing, a plate-like rail part, which extends along the screw shaft to guide movement of the holding member, protrudes, and the holding member is provided with a guide part having a guide groove engaged with the rail part. The optical scanning device further includes a scraper member fixed to the holding member and scraping off foreign matters attached to the rail part, wherein the scraper member includes a pair of scraper pieces provided at both sides of the rail part while interposing the rail part therebetween and having distal end edges abutting a side surface of the rail part.