Intermediate Transfer Belt Cleaning to Prevent Toner Re-Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic cleaning devices for image forming apparatuses face issues with toner re-adhesion to the intermediate transfer belt, leading to stain-shaped abnormal images due to incomplete toner removal over time.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with an upstream cleaner, a downstream cleaner, and a collection member is implemented, where the upstream cleaner removes toner from the image bearer, the downstream cleaner further removes toner, and the collection member collects toner, with specific voltage settings and brush roller configurations to prevent re-adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cleaning brush roller is used to remove toner from the intermediate transfer belt, then the cleaning device structure is simple, but toner re-adheres from the cleaning brush roller to the intermediate transfer belt causing stain-shaped abnormal images
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into multiple independent cleaning units (first cleaning unit with first cleaning brush roller, second cleaning unit with second cleaning brush roller, and third cleaning unit with third cleaning brush roller) arranged in the sub-scanning direction. Each cleaning unit independently removes toner from different regions of the intermediate transfer belt, preventing re-adhesion and improving cleaning reliability without requiring a single complex cleaning mechanism.
2Productivity
If the cleaning brush roller contacts the intermediate transfer belt continuously, then toner is removed effectively, but toner re-adheres from the cleaning brush roller to the intermediate transfer belt over time
Solution Approach 1:
The first cleaning unit is positioned upstream to remove toner before it can re-adhere to the intermediate transfer belt. The second and third cleaning units are positioned downstream to provide additional cleaning stages. This multi-stage preliminary cleaning action prevents toner re-adhesion by removing toner at multiple points along the intermediate transfer belt's path.
3Reliability
If the cleaning voltage is increased to improve toner removal, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but toner re-adhesion from the cleaning brush roller worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single high-voltage cleaning roller that causes toner re-adhesion, the cleaning function is segmented into multiple cleaning units with multiple brush rollers. Each unit operates at appropriate voltage levels, distributing the cleaning effect across multiple contact points and preventing the harmful re-adhesion effect that occurs with high-voltage single-point cleaning.
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 reduces the occurrence of stain-shaped abnormal images by ensuring complete toner removal and preventing re-adhesion, improving the reliability and quality of image formation.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning brush roller is applied with a cleaning voltage, and the collection roller is applied with a collection voltage. The post-transfer residual toner adhered on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is electrostatically transferred from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to the cleaning brush roller by the cleaning voltage
Implementation Method 2
Toner electrostatically transferred to the cleaning brush roller is delivered with rotation of the cleaning brush roller to a contact position at which the cleaning brush roller contacts the collection roller, electrostatically transferred to the collection roller by the collection voltage, and collected from the cleaning brush roller to the collection roller
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes an upstream cleaner, an upstream cleaner, and a collection member. The upstream cleaner is configured to remove toner from a surface of a cleaning target. The downstream cleaner is disposed downstream from the upstream cleaner in a direction of movement of the surface of the cleaning target. The downstream cleaner is configured to remove toner from the surface of the cleaning target. The collection member is configured to collect toner from the downstream cleaner.