Optical Scanning Device Nested Boss Cleaning Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The optical characteristics of optical scanning devices in image forming apparatuses are deteriorated due to dirt and dust accumulation on the transparent covers, leading to image failures, and existing cleaning mechanisms face issues with stable movement and effective cleaning coverage.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanning device with a housing, a transparent cover, a cleaning member, and a holding member featuring a double structure with an inner and outer boss member, where the outer boss member is longer than the inner boss member, allowing stable reciprocal movement along a screw shaft to ensure thorough cleaning without size increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning mechanism is added to clean the transparent cover, then the optical characteristics are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism enables the transparent cover to clean itself automatically during the printing operation. The cleaning member reciprocally moves along the transparent cover, removing dust and dirt without requiring external manual intervention or separate maintenance procedures, thus improving reliability while keeping the system self-sufficient
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism continuously removes accumulated dust and dirt from the transparent cover surface during printing operations. By discarding the contaminants through the cleaning member's reciprocating motion, the optical characteristics are maintained without requiring complete disassembly or complex maintenance procedures
2Device complexity
If the holding member structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member employs a nested structure where the inner boss member is positioned within the outer boss member. This nested configuration allows both components to work together in a compact arrangement, reducing overall complexity while the interaction between the nested parts provides stable support for the cleaning member during reciprocating motion
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is divided into two separate boss members (inner and outer) that perform distinct functions. The inner boss member provides one level of support while the outer boss member provides another, creating a segmented structure that enhances cleaning stability without requiring a single complex component
3Area of stationary object
If the outer boss member length is increased, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner boss member is nested within the outer boss member, allowing the outer boss member to extend further to provide broader cleaning coverage. This nested arrangement enables the cleaning mechanism to reach more areas of the transparent cover without proportionally increasing the overall device footprint, as the nested structure efficiently utilizes space
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 ensures effective cleaning of the transparent cover without reducing the actual cleaning region or increasing the device's size, maintaining optical performance and preventing image failures.
Implementation Method 1
a screw shaft 105 for fitting and supporting the holding member 104. The holding member 104 is configured to reciprocally move along the screw shaft 105 when the screw shaft 105 is rotated forward and backward by a motor
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning device includes a housing, a transparent cover, a cleaning member, a holding member, and a movement mechanism. The cleaning member slidably contacts with the surface of the transparent cover to clean the surface. The holding member holds the cleaning member. The movement mechanism allows the holding member to reciprocally move along the transparent cover in the aforementioned predetermined direction. The aforementioned holding member has an inside/outside double structure including an inner boss member and an outer boss member. The inner boss member receives power from the movement mechanism. The outer boss member internally receives the inner boss member. The outer boss member is longer than the inner boss member. The outer boss member reaches a moving end and stops earlier than the inner boss member, and the aforementioned inner boss member moves in the outer boss member reaches the moving end and stops.