Charging Roller Cleaning via High-Friction Synchronized Roller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The durability of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses is hindered by staining of the charging roller, which affects image quality and longevity due to inadequate cleaning mechanisms, as existing solutions like surface roughness adjustments and stain-resistant members fail to prevent slipping and subsequent staining over time.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a cleaning roller that has a dynamic friction coefficient of 0.5 or more, a surface roughness of 2.5 μm or less, and is made of melamine resin, is configured to rotate in synchronization with the charging roller, ensuring effective contact and reducing slipping, thereby enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a cleaning roller is provided to clean the charging roller, then the life span of the image forming apparatus is extended, but slipping occurs between the cleaning roller and charging roller causing stain accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the friction coefficient parameter of the cleaning roller surface to 0.5 or more, which is significantly higher than conventional cleaning rollers. This parameter change ensures sufficient friction between the cleaning roller and charging roller to prevent slipping, while the roller is driven to rotate in synchronization with the charging roller to maintain consistent contact pressure and cleaning effectiveness throughout the apparatus lifespan.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the surface roughness of the charging roller is reduced to prevent staining, then the charging roller is protected from toner adhesion, but cleaning effectiveness is reduced due to insufficient friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the charging roller surface roughness at 25 μm or less to prevent toner adhesion, while separately optimizing the cleaning roller's friction coefficient to 0.5 or more. This decoupling of parameters allows the charging roller to remain smooth for stain resistance while the cleaning roller provides sufficient friction through its high-friction surface material, resolving the contradiction between smooth surface protection and effective cleaning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sheet-like stain-resistant member is arranged to contact the charging roller, then stain resistance is improved, but the member slides and rubs against the charging roller causing stain accumulation over time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the charging roller surface smooth to prevent staining (which reduces cleaning effectiveness), the patent inverts the approach by making the cleaning roller surface have high friction (0.5 or more). This inversion allows the cleaning roller to firmly grip the charging roller surface, preventing relative sliding and rubbing that would cause stain accumulation, while the charging roller maintains its smooth surface for inherent stain resistance.
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 configuration significantly reduces the occurrence of slipping between the cleaning and charging rollers, leading to improved cleaning effectiveness and extended apparatus durability by preventing stain accumulation on the charging roller.
Implementation Method 1
A dynamic friction coefficient of a surface of the charging roller measured by a Euler belt method is 0.5 or more
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device includes a charging roller and a cleaning roller configured to make contact with the charging roller. The cleaning roller is rotated following the charging roller. A dynamic friction coefficient of a surface of the charging roller measured by a Euler belt method is equal to or larger than 0.5.