Paper Feeder Roller Cleaning via Contact Rotation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional paper feeders in image forming apparatuses face issues with reduced conveying force due to paper dust adhesion, leading to potential jams, and existing cleaning methods either increase the apparatus size or cost or require user input for determining sheet type, which can result in inadequate cleaning if incorrect.

Innovation Solution

A paper feeder system that includes a pick roller, a pair of conveyance rollers, and a hardware processor that cleans the conveyance rollers by rotating them in contact when the pick roller cannot deliver sheets, eliminating the need for a dedicated cleaning member and user input for sheet type determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated cleaning member is provided to remove paper dust from the paper feed roller, then the conveying force is maintained, but the apparatus size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying forceVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning function is merged with the existing conveyance rollers. The pair of conveyance rollers performs both sheet conveyance and cleaning functions by rotating in contact with each other, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated cleaning member and reducing apparatus complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyance rollers are given dual functionality: they convey sheets during normal operation and clean the paper feed roller when rotating in contact with each other. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a dedicated cleaning member is provided to remove paper dust from the paper feed roller, then the conveying force is maintained, but the apparatus cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveying forceVSAvoidapparatus cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning function is merged with the existing conveyance rollers. The pair of conveyance rollers performs both sheet conveyance and cleaning functions by rotating in contact with each other, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated cleaning member and reducing apparatus complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyance rollers are given dual functionality: they convey sheets during normal operation and clean the paper feed roller when rotating in contact with each other. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If cleaning is performed based on user input of sheet type information, then cleaning can be optimized for sheet types that generate paper dust, but user input errors lead to inadequate cleaning and frequent jams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiduser input accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when cleaning is needed by monitoring pick roller performance. When the pick roller cannot deliver sheets, the system infers paper dust accumulation and triggers automatic cleaning of the conveyance rollers without requiring user input about sheet types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sheet delivery performance to determine when cleaning is needed. When the pick roller fails to deliver sheets, this feedback triggers the cleaning operation, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to actual operating conditions rather than relying on user input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Speed

If the pick roller rotates continuously to maintain readiness, then sheet delivery response is improved, but paper dust accumulates faster reducing conveying force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet delivery responseVSAvoidconveying force

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous rotation, the system uses periodic cleaning actions triggered when the pick roller cannot deliver sheets. The conveyance rollers rotate in contact with each other at these periodic intervals to remove accumulated paper dust, balancing operational readiness with maintenance needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of paper dust accumulation into a beneficial trigger for cleaning. When paper dust causes the pick roller to fail sheet delivery, this failure is detected and triggers the cleaning operation, turning a problematic condition into an opportunity for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This solution effectively cleans the paper feed rollers without increasing the apparatus size or cost, ensuring proper functioning and preventing jams by automatically determining the need for cleaning based on conveying force reduction, regardless of sheet type.

Implementation Method 1

The hardware processor cleans the pair of conveyance rollers by driving the drive source to rotate the pair of conveyance rollers in a state of being in contact with each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11834286B2Paper feeder, image forming apparatus, and control method

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A paper feeder, includes: a sheet storage that stores sheets; a pick roller that delivers the sheets stored in the sheet storage to a downstream side of a conveyance path; a pair of conveyance rollers that is located on a downstream side of the pick roller in the conveyance path and conveys the sheets delivered from the pick roller to further downstream side in the conveyance path; a drive source that drives the pair of conveyance rollers; and a hardware processor that cleans the pair of conveyance rollers by driving the drive source to rotate the pair of conveyance rollers in a state of being in contact with each other, when the pick roller cannot deliver sheets.