Cleaning Blade Lubricity Control in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with unstable cleaning members due to high friction forces, leading to abnormal noise and reduced print capacity due to excessive developing agent usage for lubrication in cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with independently detachable cleaning and developing cartridges, where a control unit manages toner supply to maintain lubricity while minimizing toner usage, using a toner supply (purge) process that adjusts based on cartridge usage and deterioration, allowing for efficient use of cartridges until their lifespan is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If developing agent is supplied from the developing device side to the cleaning member via the image bearing member to reduce friction force and maintain lubricity, then the cleaning member stability is improved, but the amount of developing agent fed to the cleaning member increases, reducing the number of printable sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lubrication function from the developing agent supply process by introducing a separate lubricant supply mechanism. The lubricant is supplied directly to the cleaning member from the lubricant supply unit, separating the lubrication function from the image formation function and preventing developing agent consumption while maintaining cleaning member stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lubricant as an intermediary substance between the cleaning member and the image bearing member. This lubricant acts as a mediator that reduces friction and maintains stable cleaning member behavior without being the developing agent itself, thus preserving developing agent for image formation purposes.
2Ease of operation
If a cleaning member is brought into contact with the image bearing member to remove residual developing agent, then the cleaning function is achieved, but increased friction force causes unstable behavior, peeling back, and chattering with abnormal noise
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant supplied from the lubricant supply unit acts as an intermediary that reduces direct friction between the cleaning member and the image bearing member. This intermediary substance enables the cleaning function to operate smoothly without causing peeling back or chattering, thereby improving cleaning member stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the friction parameter by introducing a lubricant that modifies the interaction between the cleaning member and image bearing member. This parameter change from high friction to low friction conditions enables stable cleaning operation without abnormal noise or peeling back.
3Productivity
If the amount of developing agent fed to the cleaning member is reduced, then the number of printable sheets increases, but the lubricity between the cleaning member and image bearing member may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lubrication function from the developing agent supply by providing a dedicated lubricant supply unit. This separation allows reducing developing agent supply to the cleaning member while maintaining lubricity through the specialized lubricant, thereby increasing the number of printable sheets without compromising cleaning member stability.
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 reduces toner consumption in the toner supply process, extends the lifespan of cartridges, and prevents abnormal noise by maintaining lubricity between the cleaning blade and photosensitive drum, thereby increasing the number of printable sheets without compromising image formation quality.
Implementation Method 1
increased friction force between the cleaning member and the image bearing member leads to unstable behavior of the cleaning member
Implementation Method 2
the developing agent fed to the cleaning member is recovered into a cleaner case, and accordingly cannot be used for image formation... maintaining lubricity
Data Source
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AI summary
There is demand to reduce the amount of developing agent (30, 70) fed to a cleaning member (12, 62). The amount of developing agent (30, 70) that is fed to the cleaning member (12, 62) is decided based on the amount of developing agent (30, 70) recovered by the cleaning member (12, 62) or the amount of use of a process cartridge (6).