Rotating Cleaning Unit for Slit Glass Foreign Matter Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image reading apparatuses face difficulties in efficiently removing both floating and adhesive foreign matters from the slit glass, with adhesive foreign matters being particularly challenging due to their viscosity and tendency to reattach during cleaning, which affects image quality.

Innovation Solution

An image reading apparatus featuring a rotating cleaning unit with a first cleaning member for scraping and a second cleaning member for sweeping, both supported by a rotating main body, effectively removes foreign matters by utilizing a combination of elastic and conductive components to address adhesive and floating debris.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single cleaning member (elastic member or conductive brush) is used, then floating foreign matters can be collected efficiently, but adhesive foreign matters cannot be removed effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning member is divided into two distinct functional segments: a first cleaning member made of an elastic member for removing adhesive foreign matters, and a second cleaning member made of a conductive brush for collecting floating foreign matters. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in removing specific types of contaminants without interfering with the other's function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the cleaning member have different material properties tailored to specific cleaning needs. The first cleaning member uses elastic material properties to effectively scrape adhesive substances, while the second cleaning member uses conductive material properties to electrostatically collect floating particles. This local differentiation of material quality optimizes the cleaning effect for each contaminant type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If a brush-type cleaning member is used, then floating foreign matters can be swept, but adhesive foreign matters may reattach during rotation and expand the contaminating area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesweeping capabilityVSAvoidforeign matter reattachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system is segmented into two functional parts: the first cleaning member (elastic) that removes adhesive foreign matters before they can reattach, and the second cleaning member (conductive brush) that sweeps floating foreign matters. This segmentation prevents adhesive contaminants from being redistributed by the brush rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first cleaning member made of elastic material acts in advance to remove adhesive foreign matters from the slit glass surface before the conductive brush sweeps floating particles. This preliminary action prevents adhesive contaminants from being picked up and redistributed by the brush, thereby preventing reattachment and expansion of contaminating areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 enables efficient removal of both floating and adhesive foreign matters, preventing reattachment and maintaining image quality by ensuring all foreign materials are cleared from the slit glass surface during document passage.

Implementation Method 1

a first cleaning member supported by the main body, and configured to scrape foreign matters on the document pass surface during rotation of the main body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a second cleaning member supported by the main body, and configured to enable sweeping foreign matters on the document pass surface during rotation of the main body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the efficiency of collecting floating foreign matters by an electrostatic method decreases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatics: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS9456103B2Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus for removing foreign matters from a document surface

Publication Date: 2016.09.27 CANON KK

AI summary

An image reading apparatus includes a transparent member disposed at a document pass position, an image reading unit configured to read an image of a passing document through the transparent member, and a rotating cleaning unit configured to rotate to clean a document pass surface of the transparent member. The rotating cleaning unit includes a main body rotatable centering on a rotational axis, a first cleaning member supported by the main body, and configured to scrape foreign matters on the document pass surface during rotation of the main body, and a second cleaning member supported by the main body, and configured to enable sweeping foreign matters on the document pass surface during rotation of the main body.