Laser Shutter Cleaning Member for Cover Glass Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the cover glass used to prevent toner and dust from entering the laser scanner is difficult to clean without damaging its surface, and existing cleaning methods require additional space and components, hindering the size reduction of compact tandem color image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning member is slidably attached to a movable laser shutter that can move along the shutter, allowing it to clean the cover glass efficiently while maintaining a compact configuration, eliminating the need for a separate guide member and reducing the number of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a separate guide member is provided for the cleaning member to slide along, then the cleaning function is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is merged with the laser shutter, which is an existing component in the apparatus. The laser shutter serves dual functions: blocking laser light and guiding the cleaning member during its sliding motion. This integration eliminates the need for a separate guide member, reducing device complexity while maintaining the cleaning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser shutter is given an additional function as a guide member for the cleaning mechanism. By making the laser shutter multi-functional (both light blocking and cleaning guidance), the patent reduces the total number of components needed in the system without compromising the cleaning capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If additional components and space are allocated for cleaning mechanism, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism is integrated with the existing laser shutter structure. By combining the guide function with the laser shutter, the patent eliminates the need for additional space-consuming components, maintaining a compact apparatus design while providing effective cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser shutter serves multiple purposes: blocking laser light during operation and guiding the cleaning member during maintenance. This multi-functionality allows the apparatus to maintain a compact size without sacrificing cleaning effectiveness, as the same structural element serves dual purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including a laser scanner configured to irradiate a photoconductive drum with light and having a cover glass transmitting the light, a laser shutter movable between a closed position, where the laser shutter blocks an optical path of the light emitted from the laser scanner through the cover glass toward the photoconductive drum, and an open position, where the laser shutter opens the optical path, and a cleaning member with which the cover glass is cleaned, the cleaning member being supported by the laser shutter in such a manner as to be movable along the laser shutter.