Optical Scanner Cleaning Holder Rails for Stable Window Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanning devices in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with the cleaning holder malfunction and poor workability in attaching and detaching the cleaning member, necessitating improvements in both functionality and maintenance efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanning device incorporates a casing with guide rails and a cleaning holder mechanism that includes first and second guide rails, restriction portions, and a linear member to stabilize the cleaning holder's movement and attachment, ensuring perpendicular alignment and easy detachment, thereby preventing malfunctions and enhancing maintenance ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning holder is designed to move along guide rails, then the cleaning function is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and prone to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail structure is segmented into multiple independent rails (first guide rails and second guide rails) that work together to provide separate functions: positioning, movement guidance, and rotation restriction. This segmentation allows each component to be simple while the system achieves reliable cleaning holder control.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning holder includes intermediary restriction portions (first restriction portion and second restriction portion) that mediate between the cleaning holder and guide rails. These restriction portions engage with the guide rails to constrain movement and prevent rotation, reducing direct complexity in the guide rail design while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning holder structure is simplified for easy attachment, then workability is improved, but movement stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment and movement control functions are segmented into distinct components: restriction portions for attachment stability and guide rails for movement guidance. This allows the cleaning holder to be easily attached through simple engagement while maintaining movement stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails serve multiple functions: guiding movement, restricting rotation, and providing attachment reference. The restriction portions also serve dual purposes of securing the cleaning holder during operation and facilitating easy attachment/detachment. This multi-functionality maintains stability while improving workability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the cleaning holder is constrained to move precisely, then cleaning precision is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning precision is achieved through segmented constraint mechanisms: first guide rails constrain movement in the cleaning direction, while second guide rails constrain movement in the rotation direction. This segmentation provides precise control without requiring a single complex constraint structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Restriction portions act as intermediaries that translate simple guide rail structures into precise positioning. The first restriction portion engages with first guide rails for precise movement control, while the second restriction portion engages with second guide rails for rotation control, achieving high precision through modular intermediary components.
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 configuration stabilizes the cleaning holder's movement, reduces the risk of malfunctions, and improves the workability of attaching and detaching the cleaning member, ensuring efficient operation and maintenance of the optical scanning device.
Implementation Method 1
an emission port for the laser light is formed corresponding to the image carrier
Implementation Method 2
irradiates an image carrier with light to thereby form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier
Implementation Method 3
The cleaning member is fixed to the cleaning holder and slides with respect to the transmissive member along with movement of the cleaning holder to thereby clean the transmissive member
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical scanning device (12) includes a casing (12a), a transmissive member (52), a linear member (54), a drive portion (55), a plurality of first guide rails (61), a plurality of second guide rails (63a, 63b), at least one cleaning holder (511, 512), a cleaning member (53), and a stopper (62). The casing (12a) includes a rib (12e) formed along a peripheral edge part of an upper surface of the casing (12a) and a void section (65) formed between the rib (12e) and an end part of the first guide rails (61) on a side of the second direction. The cleaning holder (511, 512) includes a first restriction portion (51b) that engages with the first guide rails (61) in an up-down direction and a second restriction portion (51c) that is in contact with a side surface of the second guide rails (63a, 63b).