Self-cleaning scan head assembly

An imaging device for scanning a media, comprising:

• a media feed path;
• a chamber housing enclosing a scan head assembly for scanning a front side of the media from a location below the media feed path, said chamber housing having an inlet in fluid communication with said scan head assembly and atmosphere, said scan head assembly having an optical system, a fan, and a filter located between said inlet and said fan, wherein said fan during use directs fluid particles from the atmosphere across said scan head assembly to provide cooling and cleaning to said scan head assembly;
• and
• another chamber housing enclosing another scan head assembly for scanning a back side of the media from a location above the media feed path, said chamber housing having another inlet in fluid communication with said another scan head assembly and atmosphere, said another scan head assembly having another optical system, another fan located adjacent to said another inlet and a duct located adjacent to said another fan, wherein during use said another fan directs fluid particles from the atmosphere through said duct across said another scan head assembly to provide cooling and cleaning to said another scan head assembly.

A method for cleaning and cooling a scan head assembly having an optical system, comprising:

• creating a fluid communication path between atmosphere and said scan head assembly through an inlet;
• directing fluid particles from the atmosphere through said inlet across said scan head assembly;
• cleaning said scan head assembly, including said optical system with fluid particles from the atmosphere;
• and
• cooling said scan head assembly, including said optical system with fluid particles from the atmosphere.