Belt Cleaning Device with Movable Backup Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt cleaning devices in image forming apparatuses face challenges in enhancing belt durability and cleaning effectiveness, particularly in removing toner patterns and foreign matter from seamless conveying belts.
Innovation Solution
A belt cleaning device comprising a cleaning roller, a backup roller, and a roller-pressing-state setting mechanism that selectively applies different pressures between the rollers and the belt surface, allowing for efficient removal of toner and foreign matter while minimizing stress on the belt, thereby enhancing durability and cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cleaning roller is pressed against the belt surface with high pressure to improve cleaning effectiveness, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but belt durability deteriorates due to increased stress on the belt
Solution Approach 1:
The backup roller is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between contacting and non-contacting states with the cleaning roller. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to apply high cleaning pressure only when necessary while minimizing stress on the belt during normal operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and belt durability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter applied by the cleaning roller to the belt surface by controlling the backup roller's position. When the backup roller contacts the cleaning roller, it increases the cleaning pressure for effective toner removal. When separated, it reduces the pressure to minimal levels, preserving belt durability. This parameter change strategy allows the system to optimize both cleaning effectiveness and belt longevity
2Productivity
If a backup roller is pressed against the cleaning roller via the belt to apply high pressure, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases due to the continuous pressing force
Solution Approach 1:
The backup roller operates through periodic contact with the cleaning roller rather than continuous contact. The pressing mechanism activates only when cleaning is required, creating a periodic action pattern. This intermittent operation significantly reduces power consumption compared to continuous pressing, while still achieving effective cleaning when the backup roller does contact the cleaning roller
Solution Approach 2:
The movable backup roller design allows the system to transition between active (contacting) and inactive (non-contacting) states dynamically. This dynamic operation eliminates the need for continuous power application to maintain pressing force, as the backup roller only engages when cleaning action is required. The mechanical advantage of the pressing mechanism further reduces the power needed during active cleaning phases
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
The solution effectively removes toner and foreign matter from the belt surface, improving the durability of the belt and the cleaning device, while reducing power consumption and maintaining stable belt conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning unit includes an electrostatic brush disposed in confrontation with the surface of the conveying belt and capable of applying a predetermined bias voltage
Implementation Method 2
a first state in which the backup roller is pressed against the cleaning roller via the belt, allowing a first pressure to be applied between the cleaning roller and the surface of the belt
Data Source
AI summary
A belt cleaning device includes a cleaning roller, a backup roller, and a roller-pressing-state setting mechanism. The cleaning roller is disposed in confrontation with a surface of a belt. The backup roller is disposed in confrontation with the cleaning roller with the belt interposed between the cleaning roller and the backup roller. The roller-pressing-state setting mechanism selectively sets a state of the backup roller to a first state in which the backup roller is pressed against the cleaning roller via the belt, allowing a first pressure to be applied between the cleaning roller and the surface of the belt, and a second state in which a second pressure is applied between the cleaning roller and the surface of the belt. The second pressure is less than the first pressure.