Brush-Shaped Lubricant Applicator for Toner Adhesion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the adhesion of small toner particles to the lubricant bar prevents effective lubrication and cleaning of the image bearing member, leading to reduced image quality and lifespan of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A brush-shaped protective agent applicator applies a compressed granular material comprising a fatty acid metallic salt, maintaining a surface roughness of 500 μm or less to prevent toner adhesion and ensure consistent lubrication, using a combination of inorganic lubricants like boron nitride and zinc stearate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a solid lubricant is supplied to the image bearing member surface, then the lifespan of the image bearing member and cleaning member is extended, but small toner particles adhere to the lubricant bar preventing effective lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface roughness parameter of the lubricant bar from conventional smooth surfaces to a controlled rough surface with specific Ra values (3.2-12.5 μm). This parameter change allows the surface to prevent small toner particle adhesion while maintaining lubricant supply capability, resolving the contradiction between extending lifespan and ensuring reliable lubrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality differences on the lubricant bar surface by forming protrusions and recesses with specific roughness characteristics. These local surface features provide different functions: protrusions prevent toner adhesion while recesses hold and supply lubricant, thereby resolving the contradiction between lifespan extension and effective lubrication.
2Reliability
If the surface of the image bearing member is abraded or foreign substances adhere, then cleaning is required, but the cleaning member itself may be abraded resulting in insufficient cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by supplying lubricant to the image bearing member surface before cleaning occurs. The lubricated surface resists abrasion and foreign substance adhesion, preventing the conditions that would require intensive cleaning and reduce cleaning member lifespan, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness over extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant acts as an intermediary between the image bearing member and cleaning member. It reduces direct friction and wear interactions, allowing the cleaning member to function effectively without excessive abrasion, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and cleaning member lifespan.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If friction force between the image bearing member and cleaning member is reduced, then the lifespan is extended, but the cleaning capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface roughness parameter of the lubricant bar to an optimal range that balances friction reduction with cleaning capability. The controlled roughness (Ra 3.2-12.5 μm) provides sufficient lubrication to extend lifespan while maintaining enough surface texture to allow effective toner removal, resolving the contradiction between lifespan extension and cleaning capability.
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 solution effectively prevents toner adhesion, maintains image quality, and extends the lifespan of the image forming apparatus by ensuring reliable lubrication and cleaning of the image bearing member.
Implementation Method 1
a protective layer forming device that applies a protective agent to a surface of the image bearing member with a brush-shaped protective agent applicator
Implementation Method 2
Charged toner particles are adhered to the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image
Implementation Method 3
a solid lubricant comprised primarily of zinc stearate is supplied to a surface of an image bearing member (i.e., a photoconductor) and formed into a thin film for the purpose of lengthening the lifespan of the image bearing member and a cleaning member
Implementation Method 4
an image bearing member (e.g., a photoconductor) which has a drum shape or a belt shape. The image bearing member is uniformly charged while rotating in a process called a charging process, and then exposed to a laser light beam to form a latent image thereon
Implementation Method 5
The toner image is transferred onto a transfer medium in a process called a transfer process
Implementation Method 6
The toner image is finally transferred onto a transfer medium such as paper and fixed thereon by heat, pressure, or solvent vapor
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member configured to bear a toner image, a protective layer forming device configured to apply a protective agent to a surface of the image bearing member with a brush-shaped protective agent applicator, and a surface roughness maintainer configured to maintain a surface roughness Ry of a contact surface of the protective agent with the brush-shaped protective agent applicator at 500 μm or less. The protective agent is a solid material in which a granular material comprising a fatty acid metallic salt is compressed.