Image Reading Device Cleaning Sheet Speed Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image reading devices face challenges in maintaining cleanability, leading to contamination and impaired functionality due to the limitations in cleaning convex toner images formed on cleaning charts, which affect the accuracy of image detection and correction in image forming apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an image reading device with a cleaning system that uses a sheet-like cleaning member with different rotation speeds for conveyance rollers to effectively contact and clean the exposure glass and background switching revolver, ensuring proper cleaning and reducing contamination by using brushes or convex-concave paper.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cleaning chart is conveyed while contacting a reading plate to remove foreign materials, then the reading plate is cleaned, but the cleanability degrades due to toner contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecleanabilityVSAvoidtoner contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful toner application step from the cleaning process. Instead of applying toner to the cleaning chart to create convex images for cleaning, the invention uses a toner-free cleaning method where the cleaning chart directly contacts the reading plate without toner, thereby eliminating contamination while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional cleaning approach by removing the toner layer that causes contamination. Rather than using toner to facilitate cleaning, the invention cleans the reading plate using a clean, toner-free cleaning chart, reversing the cause-effect relationship and eliminating the contamination source

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If toner is rubbed onto a reading plate for cleaning, then cleaning action is achieved, but contamination increases and cleanability degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning actionVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of toner (contamination) into a beneficial clean state by eliminating toner from the cleaning process. The cleaning chart operates without toner, transforming the cleaning mechanism from a contamination-generating process to a contamination-free process that maintains reading plate purity

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

Data Source

PatentEP4027201B1Image reading device and image forming apparatus incorporating the image reading device
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4027201B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4027201B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4027201B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

An image reading device (1) includes a reader (11), a transparent member (12), an opposing member (13), a first conveyance rotator (14a, 14aa, 14ab), a second conveyance rotators (15a, 15aa, 15ab), and a controller (20). The reader (11) reads a sheet (S). The first conveyance rotator (14a, 14aa, 14ab) is disposed upstream from the reader (11) in a conveyance direction of the sheet (S). The second conveyance rotator (15a, 15aa, 15ab) is disposed downstream from the reader (11) in the conveyance direction. The controller (20) causes the first conveyance rotator (14a, 14aa, 14ab) and the second conveyance rotator (15a, 15aa, 15ab) to convey a cleaning sheet (46) at respective conveying speeds different from each other and bring the cleaning sheet (46) into contact with at least one of the transparent member (12) or the opposing member (13).