Intermediate Transfer Belt Cleaning via Directional Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional color electrophotographic printers face inefficiencies when attempting to recover residual toner, as positioning the belt cleaner on the same side as the photosensitive drums either results in time loss or contamination, particularly when the belt cleaner is placed downstream of the photosensitive drums.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system where the endless belt is driven in opposite directions during image-forming and recovering periods, with a cleaning member positioned upstream of the photosensitive members to efficiently recover residual toner from both the belt and the photosensitive drums, minimizing contamination and recovery time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the belt cleaner is disposed on the opposite side of the belt from the photosensitive drums, then the cleaner can effectively recover residual toner from the belt, but the apparatus structure becomes more complex and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the belt cleaner with the photosensitive drum cleaner into a single integrated cleaning unit. The cleaning member is configured to contact both the intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive drum surfaces simultaneously, allowing one cleaning mechanism to perform dual functions. This merging reduces structural complexity while maintaining effective toner recovery from both surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a belt cleaner and a photosensitive drum cleaner. By configuring the cleaning member to contact and clean both the intermediate transfer belt and the photosensitive drum surfaces, the apparatus achieves universal cleaning capability without requiring separate dedicated cleaning mechanisms for each surface.
2Volume of moving object
If the belt cleaner is disposed on the same side of the belt as the photosensitive drums, then the apparatus becomes more compact, but the cleaner may contaminate the photosensitive drums with residual toner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the cleaning member to contact and clean the intermediate transfer belt at a location upstream of the photosensitive drums in the belt's circulation path. By performing the cleaning action before the belt reaches the photosensitive drum contact region, residual toner is removed in advance, preventing contamination of the photosensitive drums while maintaining a compact apparatus structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of positioning the cleaner downstream of the photosensitive drums (which would risk contamination), the patent inverts the cleaning sequence by placing the cleaner upstream. This reversal of the conventional cleaning position ensures that the belt is cleaned before contacting the photosensitive drums, eliminating the contamination risk while keeping the apparatus compact.
3Reliability
If the belt cleaner is placed downstream of the photosensitive drums, then the cleaner can recover toner, but the recovery time increases due to the belt circulation time required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the cleaning member upstream of the photosensitive drums in the belt circulation path, enabling the cleaner to recover residual toner from the intermediate transfer belt before the belt completes its full circulation cycle. This preliminary cleaning action reduces the time required for toner recovery by eliminating the need to wait for the belt to circulate completely before cleaning can occur.
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 approach allows for quick and effective recovery of residual toner, reducing the time required for toner recovery and preventing contamination of the photosensitive drums, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of the printer.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning member opposed to the surface at an upstream of the photosensitive member in the first direction to clean, during the recovering period, the recovered first residual toner provided on the surface
Data Source
AI summary
An image-forming apparatus includes an endless belt, a photosensitive member, a driving member, a recovering member, and a cleaning member. The endless belt has a surface extending in a first direction. The photosensitive member opposes the surface to provide the surface with toner. The driving member drives the belt so that the surface moves in the first direction during an image-forming period and moves in the opposite direction during a recovering period after the image-forming period. The recovering member recovers, during the image-formation period, residual toner remaining on the photosensitive member after the toner has been provided on the surface, and provides, during the recovering period, the recovered residual toner on the photosensitive member to be provided on the surface. The cleaning member opposes the surface upstream of the photosensitive member in the first direction to clean, during the recovering period, the recovered residual toner provided on the surface.