Cleaning Apparatus with Periodic Pressure Reduction for Toner Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning apparatuses for image forming devices face challenges in effectively removing toner and paper dust from intermediate transfer belts, leading to potential image failures due to toner backflow and clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus incorporating a pressing member, pre-brush, removal roller, recovery roller, cleaning blade, sealing member, toner housing portion, and pressure reducing member, where the pressure reducing member periodically reduces the pressure on the pre-brush to prevent toner and paper dust from accumulating and clogging, ensuring efficient removal and preventing image failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pre-brush continuously presses against the intermediate transfer belt to charge remaining toner, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but toner and paper dust accumulate and clog the pre-brush, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member periodically presses and releases the pre-brush in sync with the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt. During the pressing phase, the pre-brush effectively charges remaining toner; during the release phase, the pre-brush is pulled away to prevent toner and paper dust accumulation and clogging. This periodic action maintains cleaning effectiveness while preventing harmful accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member dynamically adjusts the pressure applied to the pre-brush based on the operational requirements. The pressing member presses the pre-brush against the intermediate transfer belt during specific phases and releases it during other phases, transforming the static pressure application into a dynamic, variable pressure system that prevents clogging while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Productivity
If the pressing member continuously applies pressure to the pre-brush, then the toner charging efficiency is improved, but the pre-brush becomes clogged with toner and paper dust
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member implements periodic pressing and releasing cycles that synchronize with the intermediate transfer belt rotation. During the pressing phase, maximum pressure is applied to efficiently charge remaining toner; during the release phase, the pre-brush is pulled away to prevent clogging. This periodic action maintains high productivity while preventing harmful accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous cleaning operation through coordinated pressing and releasing cycles. The useful action of toner charging continues during pressing phases, while the releasing phases prevent clogging, ensuring the pre-brush remains functional and the cleaning process continues without interruption to overall productivity.
3Reliability
If the pre-brush is pressed firmly against the intermediate transfer belt, then the removal of remaining toner is improved, but toner and paper dust accumulate on the pre-brush
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member applies firm pressure during specific phases to effectively remove remaining toner, then releases the pressure during other phases to prevent contamination. This periodic application of pressure maintains toner removal effectiveness while preventing harmful accumulation of toner and paper dust on the pre-brush surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member dynamically adjusts the pressure applied to the pre-brush based on the operational phase. Firm pressure is applied during phases when toner removal is needed, and the pressure is reduced or released during phases when contamination prevention is prioritized, transforming the static pressure system into a dynamic one that addresses both requirements.
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 removes toner and paper dust from the intermediate transfer belt, preventing image failures and maintaining the performance of the image forming apparatus by ensuring that toner does not return to the belt, thus enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
The pre-brush contacts the intermediate transfer belt in a state of pressed to a side of the intermediate transfer belt with a predetermined pressure by the pressing member to charge the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt
Implementation Method 2
The removal roller includes a first rotation shaft extending in a width direction of the intermediate transfer belt and removes the paper dust and the toner charged by the pre-brush on the intermediate transfer belt while contacting the intermediate transfer belt around the first rotation shaft
Implementation Method 3
The recovery roller includes a second rotation shaft in parallel to an axial direction of the first rotation shaft and recovers the toner and the paper dust on the removal roller from the removal roller by contacting the removal roller while rotating about the second rotation shaft
Implementation Method 4
The cleaning blade extends in parallel to an axial direction of the second rotation shaft. The cleaning blade contacts the recovery roller to scrape off the toner and the paper dust on the recovery roller
Implementation Method 5
The sealing member runs in parallel to the first and the second rotation shafts. The toner housing portion is separated from the removal roller and the recovery roller by the sealing member
Implementation Method 6
The pressure reducing member moves the pre-brush in the separating direction by pressing the supporting member in a direction opposite to pressing by the pressing member to reduce the pressure onto the pre-brush by the pressing member at every predetermined constant period
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus removes a toner and a paper dust remaining on an intermediate transfer belt. The pressure reducing member includes a fitting hole and an outer peripheral portion. The fitting hole is fitted to a rotation shaft of a rotation roller rotating at which the intermediate transfer belt is stretched. The outer peripheral portion is in a cam shape and has a diameter dimension larger than a diameter of the rotation roller. The outer peripheral portion is located around the fitting hole. The outer peripheral portion includes a first outer peripheral portion and a second outer peripheral portion. The first outer peripheral portion has a predetermined first radius and does not contact the supporting member when not reducing the pressure. The second outer peripheral portion has a predetermined cam radius larger than the first radius. The second outer peripheral portion contacts the supporting member when reducing the pressure.