Cleaning Blade Covering Layer for Low-Torque Toner Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning blades in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses experience increased torque, wear, and cleaning failures due to friction with the image bearer, leading to incomplete toner removal, especially during continuous printing of full solid images.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning blade with a covering layer having a specific luminance histogram average value of 15,000 to 25,000 at 100 μm inward from the tip ridge, containing fine particles and a binding component, which enhances lubricity and prevents torque increase while maintaining effective cleaning performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cleaning blade is used to remove residual toner from the image bearer, then cleaning performance is improved, but friction between the cleaning blade and image bearer increases torque and may cause the image bearer to stop

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidtorque

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

A covering layer comprising fine particles and a binding component is applied to the tip portion of the elastic member. This covering layer acts as an intermediary between the cleaning blade and the image bearer, providing lubrication that reduces friction and torque while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical and chemical properties of the tip portion are modified by applying a covering layer with specific characteristics (fine particles with binding component). This changes the friction properties and lubricity of the contact surface, reducing torque increase during continuous printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the cleaning blade contacts the image bearer to scrape off toner, then cleaning function is achieved, but the contact portion wears and turns up causing incomplete cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning functionVSAvoidservice life of contact portion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The covering layer serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct contact and wear between the elastic member tip and the image bearer surface. This mediator layer reduces mechanical wear and prevents the tip from turning up, extending the service life while maintaining cleaning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The covering layer is applied in advance to the tip portion to provide cushioning protection against wear. This preliminary protective measure prevents the elastic member tip from directly rubbing against the image bearer, reducing wear before it can cause tip deformation or turning up.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Force

If the covering layer is made to collapse easily to reduce wear, then torque increase is prevented, but cleaning performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque controlVSAvoidcleaning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The covering layer parameters are precisely controlled: fine particles with specific size distribution and a binding component in controlled amounts. This creates an optimal balance where the layer is soft enough to collapse easily and reduce torque, yet maintains sufficient structural integrity to provide effective cleaning contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The covering layer is formed as a composite material combining fine particles and a binding component. This composite structure provides the desired balance between softness (for easy collapse and torque reduction) and cohesion (for maintaining cleaning effectiveness), achieving both torque control and cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 prevents torque increase and maintains cleaning performance even during high-density printing by ensuring the covering layer collapses easily, reducing wear and toner passage through the blade, thus improving the reliability of the image forming process.

Implementation Method 1

a covering layer on the tip portion of the elastic member... containing fine particles and a binding component, which enhances lubricity and prevents torque increase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS20250383621A1Cleaning blade, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A cleaning blade includes: a blade substrate including an elastic member having a tip portion to contact with a surface of an object to clean the object; a blade support supporting the blade substrate; and a covering layer on the tip portion of the elastic member, and the covering layer has an average value of luminance histogram of 15,000 or more and 25,000 or less at a point 100 μm inward from a tip ridge of the tip portion of the elastic member.