Image Forming Belt Cleaning With Tilting Tension Roller Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt devices in image forming devices suffer from toner scattering and belt deviation due to the interaction of the cleaning blade with the steering member and collection container, leading to increased load on the steering operation and potential malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A belt device with a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning member tiltable in the width direction, a deviation suppression mechanism on the driven roller, and a transport screw to collect toner, with a detachable collection container and discharge port, reducing the load on the steering operation and minimizing toner scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning blade is supported in conjunction with the steering member and the collection container is fixed to the device main body, then the cleaning function is achieved, but a gap occurs between the inclined cleaning blade and the fixed collection container causing toner scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is made tiltable in the width direction to dynamically adapt to the inclined state of the cleaning blade. The container can tilt in the same direction as the cleaning blade, eliminating gaps and preventing toner scattering while maintaining effective cleaning function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sealing member is bent in the collection container to suppress toner scattering, then toner scattering is reduced, but the force required for sealing becomes a load on the steering operation increasing the load on the steering member
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is designed to tilt dynamically in the width direction, allowing the sealing member to maintain effective sealing without requiring excessive bending force. The tilting motion distributes the sealing force more effectively, reducing the load on the steering member while preventing toner scattering.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning blade is inclined to clean the belt effectively, then cleaning performance is improved, but the inclined state causes deviation of the belt in the axial direction
Solution Approach 1:
The collection container is made tiltable to follow the inclination of the cleaning blade. By tilting the container in the same direction as the cleaning blade, the system maintains effective cleaning performance while the container's tilting helps stabilize the belt position, preventing axial deviation.
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 cleans the belt while suppressing toner scattering and belt deviation, preventing malfunctions and reducing the size and cost of the device by integrating multiple rollers into a single tension roller.
Implementation Method 1
a transport screw that transports toner removed from the front surface of the belt by the cleaning member
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning member that abuts the belt and cleans a front surface of the belt
Implementation Method 3
a deviation suppression mechanism that suppresses deviation of the belt in the width direction by tilting a rotary shaft of the driven roller
Data Source
AI summary
A belt device includes a cleaning unit having a cleaning member that abuts a belt and cleans a front surface of the belt. A tension roller includes a deviation suppression mechanism on one side of and in a width direction of the tension roller. The width direction intersects a transport direction of the belt. The deviation suppression mechanism suppresses deviation of the belt in the width direction by tilting a rotary shaft of the tension roller. The cleaning member has one side in the width direction tiltable that follows tilting of the tension roller. The cleaning unit includes a port, for discharging toner removed from the front surface of the belt, on a downstream side of the cleaning member and in a transport direction of the toner. The downstream side is another side in the width direction.