Paper Dust Collection Roller for Merged Sheet Feed Paths

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with paper dust accumulation leading to image quality degradation, requiring multiple dedicated paper dust collecting rollers, which increase size and cost due to the need for expensive fluorine-containing resin materials.

Innovation Solution

An image forming apparatus with a single paper dust collecting roller that rotates in opposite directions to collect paper dust from multiple sheet feeding portions, using electrostatic adsorption and a common collecting portion to merge paths from different feeders, reducing the need for multiple rollers and materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated paper dust collecting rollers are disposed for each sheet feeding portion, then paper dust collection effectiveness is improved, but the apparatus size increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper dust collection effectivenessVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A single paper dust collecting roller is designed to serve multiple sheet feeding portions (cassette and multi-purpose tray) by being positioned at a merging portion where conveyation paths converge. The roller collects paper dust from both paths simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate dedicated rollers for each feeding portion while maintaining effective paper dust removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the paper dust collection functions for multiple sheet feeding portions into a single collecting roller located at the path merging portion. By combining the collection paths and using one roller to handle dust from both feeders, the apparatus reduces the number of components needed while achieving comprehensive paper dust removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If dedicated paper dust collecting rollers are disposed for each sheet feeding portion, then paper dust collection effectiveness is improved, but the apparatus cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper dust collection effectivenessVSAvoidapparatus cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single paper dust collecting roller is designed to serve multiple sheet feeding portions (cassette and multi-purpose tray) by being positioned at a merging portion where conveyation paths converge. The roller collects paper dust from both paths simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate dedicated rollers for each feeding portion while maintaining effective paper dust removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the paper dust collection functions for multiple sheet feeding portions into a single collecting roller located at the path merging portion. By combining the collection paths and using one roller to handle dust from both feeders, the apparatus reduces the number of components needed while achieving comprehensive paper dust removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If fluorine-containing resin material is used for paper dust collecting rollers, then paper dust collection performance is improved, but the material cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper dust collection performanceVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single paper dust collecting roller is designed to serve multiple sheet feeding portions (cassette and multi-purpose tray) by being positioned at a merging portion where conveyation paths converge. The roller collects paper dust from both paths simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate dedicated rollers for each feeding portion while maintaining effective paper dust removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the paper dust collection functions for multiple sheet feeding portions into a single collecting roller located at the path merging portion. By combining the collection paths and using one roller to handle dust from both feeders, the apparatus reduces the number of components needed while achieving comprehensive paper dust removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Effectively removes paper dust without upsizing the apparatus and reducing costs by using a single roller for multiple feeders, enhancing image quality and space efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

using electrostatic adsorption and a common collecting portion to merge paths from different feeders

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic adsorption: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS12559334B2Image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 CANON KK

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes a first sheet feeding portion, a second sheet feeding portion, an image forming portion, a paper dust collecting portion, a merging portion, a rotatable member, a first guiding member, and a second guiding member. The paper dust collecting portion is provided downstream of the first sheet feeding portion and the second sheet feeding portion and upstream of the merging portion with respect to a conveying direction of a recording material.