Sheet Feeding Device with Deformable Separation-Roller Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet feeding devices suffer from wear of the cleaning member due to continuous contact with the separation roller, leading to deteriorated cleaning performance and potential image failure in image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A deformable cleaning member that contacts the separation roller only when a sheet is being fed, separating from the roller when not in use, to minimize wear and maintain cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning member continuously contacts the separation roller surface, then cleaning performance is maintained, but the cleaning member surface wears rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is designed to dynamically change its contact state with the separation roller based on operational needs. During sheet feeding, the cleaning member contacts the separation roller to remove powder; during idle periods, it retracts to avoid wear. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining cleaning performance and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member operates periodically rather than continuously - activating only when sheets are fed and retracting when idle. This periodic contact pattern maintains cleaning effectiveness when needed while significantly reducing cumulative wear and extending the cleaning member's operational lifespan.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the cleaning member continuously contacts the separation roller, then powder is removed effectively, but friction generates heat and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member transitions between contact and non-contact states dynamically. When sheets are present, it contacts the separation roller to remove powder; when sheets are absent, it retracts to eliminate friction-induced wear and heat generation, thus resolving the contradiction between powder removal effectiveness and wear prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful frictional contact is extracted and separated from the continuous operation cycle. Instead of continuous contact, the cleaning member is removed from contact during idle periods, leaving only the necessary brief contact periods for actual cleaning, thereby eliminating unnecessary wear and heat generation.
3Reliability
If the cleaning member is always in contact with the separation roller, then cleaning coverage is maximized, but mechanical wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member engages in periodic contact with the separation roller - active during sheet feeding operations and inactive during idle periods. This periodic engagement maintains cleaning effectiveness when required while minimizing cumulative material wear through reduced contact time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member's contact state is dynamically controlled based on operational conditions. It contacts the separation roller only when sheets are being fed and retracts when idle, optimizing the balance between cleaning coverage and material preservation.
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
Prevents wear of the cleaning member and separation roller, ensuring effective removal of sheet powder while maintaining cleaning performance and reducing image defects.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning member (35) which is configured to be deformable to be separated from the surface of the separation roller (31) when the sheet feeding roller (53) does not feed the sheet and to come into contact with the surface of the separation roller (31) by the sheet fed by the sheet feeding roller (53)
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feeding roller, a sheet conveying roller, a separation roller, and a cleaning member. The sheet feeding roller is rotated to feed the sheet in a predetermined sheet feeding direction. The sheet conveying roller is disposed on a downstream side of the sheet feeding roller in the sheet feeding direction. The separation roller forms a separation nip between the sheet conveying roller and the separation roller. The cleaning member is disposed on an upstream side of the separation nip in the sheet feeding direction, and cleans a surface of the separation roller. The cleaning member is configured to be deformable to be separated from the surface of the separation roller when the sheet feeding roller does not feed the sheet and to come into contact with the surface of the separation roller by the sheet fed by the sheet feeding roller.