Cleaning Blade Movement Restriction for Photoreceptor Drum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning devices for photoreceptor drums in image forming apparatuses face failures due to changes in abutment angle and linear pressure over time, leading to surface contact and developer escape, whether using constant load or constant displacement methods.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a cleaning blade, supporter, movement restrictor, and urging force applier that maintains a stable abutment state by switching between constant load and constant displacement methods based on blade displacement, preventing surface contact through adjustable abutment states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the constant load method is used to apply constant linear pressure to the blade edge, then cleaning performance can be stabilized, but the abutment angle may become smaller over time leading to surface contact and developer escape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performance stabilityVSAvoidsurface contact causing developer escape

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device dynamically switches between constant load control and constant displacement control based on the cleaning blade's displacement amount. When displacement exceeds a threshold, the system transitions to constant displacement control to prevent surface contact, while otherwise maintaining constant load control for optimal cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control parameters for the cleaning blade are changed based on its displacement state. The system monitors blade displacement and adjusts the control mode (constant load vs. constant displacement) accordingly, changing the abutment conditions to prevent harmful surface contact while maintaining effective cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the constant displacement method is used to displace the cleaning blade by a predetermined amount, then the structure is simpler, but linear pressure decreases over time leading to developer escape and cleaning failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning device structureVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the control approach based on blade displacement. Instead of using fixed constant displacement control, the system switches to constant load control when displacement is within acceptable ranges to maintain sufficient cleaning pressure, thereby improving reliability without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback on the cleaning blade's displacement amount and uses this information to determine the appropriate control mode. The control unit monitors blade position and adjusts the control strategy accordingly, maintaining effective cleaning pressure while preventing surface contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning blade displacement is not restricted, then the blade can adapt to drum surface variations, but the abutment angle decreases leading to planar contact and cleaning failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade adaptation to drum surfaceVSAvoidplanar contact causing cleaning failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic blade displacement for adaptability but implements a switch to constant displacement control when a threshold is exceeded. This dynamic adjustment maintains the ability to adapt to drum surface variations while preventing excessive displacement that would cause harmful planar contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by monitoring blade displacement and switching control modes before harmful planar contact occurs. By detecting when displacement approaches problematic levels, the system preemptively changes to constant displacement control to prevent the adverse effect of planar contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 ensures stable cleaning performance by maintaining a consistent abutment angle and pressure, preventing developer escape and ensuring high-quality image output over the lifespan of the cleaning blade.

Implementation Method 1

a spring member (urging force applier) that urges an end of the cleaning blade to abut against the photoreceptor drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a cleaning blade that abuts against a photoreceptor drum and removes residual developer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10955789B2Cleaning device having function that restricts movement range of cleaning blade and image forming apparatus having cleaning device

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 SHARP KK

AI summary

Provided is an image forming apparatus configured to form a toner image on a photoreceptor drum, transfer the toner image to a recording medium, and output the recording medium, and the image forming apparatus includes a cleaning device including a cleaning blade that abuts against the photoreceptor drum and removes residual developer, a cleaning blade supporter that rotatably supports the cleaning blade, a cleaning blade movement restrictor that restricts a movement range of the cleaning blade, and a spring member that urges an end of the cleaning blade to abut against the photoreceptor drum.