Single Cleaning Unit for Transport Roller and Belt in Inkjet Printers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face the challenge of ink staining transport rollers and belts, leading to increased apparatus size due to the need for separate cleaning units for each transport member.
Innovation Solution
A single cleaning unit is used to clean multiple transport members, including roller and belt surfaces, by strategically positioning and moving a band-shaped cleaning member between wind-around portions to minimize staining transfer and optimize cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cleaning units are provided for each transport member (roller and belt), then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is designed with a universal cleaning member that can clean both the transport roller and transport belt. The cleaning member includes a roller cleaner portion for cleaning the roller and a belt cleaner portion for cleaning the belt, allowing a single cleaning unit to perform multiple cleaning functions without increasing apparatus size
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit merges the roller cleaning function and belt cleaning function into a single integrated structure. The cleaning member combines both roller cleaner and belt cleaner portions, and the supporting structure integrates both cleaning operations, thereby reducing the number of separate cleaning units needed
2Area of stationary object
If a single cleaning unit is used for multiple transport members, then apparatus size is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a roller cleaner portion with first cleaning webbing for cleaning the roller, and a belt cleaner portion with second cleaning webbing for cleaning the belt. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific cleaning task while being part of a unified cleaning unit
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cleaning member have different local qualities suited for different cleaning tasks. The roller cleaner portion has properties optimized for roller cleaning, while the belt cleaner portion has properties optimized for belt cleaning, ensuring effective cleaning of each transport member despite using a single cleaning unit
3Productivity
If cleaning webbing is continuously used, then cleaning operation continues without interruption, but staining transfers from used webbing to cleaned surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by rotating the cleaning member to bring fresh, unstained portions of cleaning webbing into contact with the transport roller and belt. This preliminary positioning of clean webbing surfaces prevents staining transfer while maintaining continuous cleaning operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member is designed to rotate dynamically during the cleaning operation. This rotation allows different portions of the cleaning webbing to sequentially contact the transport members, ensuring that always a relatively clean portion is used for cleaning while stained portions are moved away
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 allows for effective cleaning of multiple transport members without increasing the printer's size, reducing the need for dedicated cleaning units and minimizing staining transfer during the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a belt cleaner, which is capable of wiping away ink that is attached to the outer surface of the transport belt
Implementation Method 2
using cleaning webbing such as a non-woven fabric
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing section that performs printing by discharging an ink onto a sheet of paper, a plurality of transport members that are respectively disposed in a plurality of locations in a transport pathway of the sheet of paper, and that are capable of transporting the sheet of paper along the transport pathway by rotating in contact with the sheet of paper, and a single cleaning unit that is used commonly during cleaning of the respective plurality of transport members.