Intermediate Transfer Member Cleaning With a Pyrolysis Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
The intermediate transfer member in Liquid Electro-Photographic (LEP) printers is prone to contamination from print agent residue, dust, and machine oil, which significantly reduces print quality.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a rotatable endless cleaning surface and a pyrolysis station to clean the intermediate transfer member by converting residue to ash, including a rotatable endless cleaning surface that engages with the blanket to transfer residue, moves into a pyrolysis station for heating, and uses ash evacuation components to remove the ash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the intermediate transfer member is cleaned frequently to maintain print quality, then print quality is improved, but the printing process is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system performs preliminary cleaning actions during idle periods or between print jobs, preparing the intermediate transfer member for the next printing cycle without disrupting active printing. The system proactively removes residue before it accumulates to problematic levels, maintaining print quality while minimizing interruptions to the printing process.
2Manufacturing precision
If a cleaning system is added to remove residue from the intermediate transfer member, then print quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scraping or wiping systems with a thermal field-based pyrolysis system. Instead of using mechanical contact to remove residue, the system uses controlled heating to thermally decompose the residue into volatile components that can be evacuated, thereby simplifying the mechanical structure while achieving effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heating element as an intermediary between the residue on the intermediate transfer member and the cleaning process. The heating element mediates the transformation of residue from a adhered state to a volatile state, enabling removal without direct mechanical contact and reducing overall system complexity.
3Loss of substance
If pyrolysis heating is applied to convert residue to ash, then residue removal is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating temperature and duration parameters based on the type and amount of residue detected. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves effective pyrolysis and residue removal while minimizing energy consumption, avoiding excessive heating that would waste energy without providing additional cleaning benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous heating, the system applies pyrolysis heating periodically or in pulses during idle periods or between print jobs. This periodic action allows the intermediate transfer member to cool between heating cycles, reducing cumulative energy consumption while still achieving thorough residue removal over time.
4Productivity
If the cleaning surface is made rotatable and endless to facilitate continuous cleaning, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable endless cleaning surface serves multiple functions: it contacts the intermediate transfer member for cleaning, transports the cleaned surface through the pyrolysis heating zone, and provides a continuous working surface for ongoing cleaning operations. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by eliminating the need for separate cleaning, heating, and transport mechanisms.
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
Enables frequent and continuous blanket cleaning without disrupting the printing process, improving print quality, extending blanket life, and facilitating easy residue collection with minimal consumables.
Implementation Method 1
The pyrolysis station is for receiving the rotatable endless cleaning surface, and is to cause the rotatable endless cleaning surface to be heated to convert the residue to an ash
Implementation Method 2
The pyrolysis station includes a heating element for converting the residue to ash while the rotatable endless cleaning surface is within the chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
In an example of the disclosure, an intermediate transfer member cleaning system includes an intermediate transfer member ("blanket"), an endless cleaning surface, and a pyrolysis station. The blanket is to receive a thermoplastic print agent from a photoconductive element. The endless cleaning surface can be positioned to rotatably engage with the blanket to transfer a residue of the thermoplastic print agent from the blanket to the endless cleaning surface. The endless cleaning surface can be moved away from the blanket to enter a pyrolysis station. The pyrolysis station is for receiving the endless cleaning surface, for heating the endless cleaning surface to convert the residue to ash, and for removing the ash.