Optical Scanner Sequential Cleaning Motor Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical scanners for image forming devices require high-output motors for cleaning dust-proof glasses, leading to increased device costs due to the simultaneous operation of multiple cleaning units by a single motor, which increases the load on the motor.
Innovation Solution
The optical scanner employs a displacement conversion mechanism where automatic cleaning units are driven by a single motor, with varying heights of cleaning members to reduce the load on the motor by alternating cleaning operations between units, allowing for the use of a lower output and less expensive motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple cleaning members are moved simultaneously by a single motor, then all dust-proof glasses can be cleaned at the same time, but the load applied to the motor becomes higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by sequentially operating cleaning members instead of simultaneous operation. The control unit activates cleaning members one after another in a predetermined sequence, where each cleaning member operates for a specific period before the next one is activated. This periodic operation reduces the motor load at any given time while still achieving comprehensive cleaning of all dust-proof glasses across multiple cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cleaning operation into separate phases for each cleaning member. Instead of moving all cleaning members simultaneously, the system segments the cleaning process so that each cleaning member operates independently in sequence. This segmentation allows the single motor to handle fewer cleaning members at a time, reducing peak load while maintaining overall cleaning effectiveness through multiple sequential passes.
2Productivity
If a high-output motor is employed to drive multiple cleaning members simultaneously, then all dust-proof glasses can be cleaned at the same time, but device costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by sequentially operating cleaning members instead of simultaneous operation. The control unit activates cleaning members one after another in a predetermined sequence, where each cleaning member operates for a specific period before the next one is activated. This periodic operation reduces the motor load at any given time while still achieving comprehensive cleaning of all dust-proof glasses across multiple cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by using a lower-cost, lower-output motor that would be insufficient for simultaneous operation of all cleaning members. By accepting that each motor-powered cleaning member operates for a shorter duration and fewer members operate at once, the system can use a cheaper motor specification, thereby reducing overall device cost while maintaining acceptable cleaning functionality through sequential operation.
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 reduces the motor load during cleaning, enabling the use of a relatively inexpensive motor and lowering the overall costs of the optical scanner and image forming device while maintaining effective dust removal from dust-proof glasses.
Implementation Method 1
a screw shaft arranged to extend along each of the dust-proof glasses and rotationally driven by the drive source, a holding member to which the screw shaft is threadedly coupled
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanner includes a plurality of automatic cleaning units which automatically cleans dust-proof glasses. The automatic cleaning units include screw shafts threadedly coupled to holding units that hold cleaning members. When the holding members are moved by rotationally driving the screw shafts of the automatic cleaning units at the same time, the height of the cleaning member of at least one of the automatic cleaning units with respect to the dust-proof glasses becomes different from the height of the cleaning members of the remaining automatic cleaning units with respect to the dust-proof glasses.