Cleaning Blade Segmentation for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cleaning blades used in image forming apparatuses experience increased vibration and temperature due to rubbing, leading to reduced cleaning quality and edge breakage, especially in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning blade design with a contact layer that does not contain inorganic fillers and a support layer containing inorganic fillers with high thermal conductivity (≥30 W/mK) and average particle diameters between 0.1 to 5.0 μm, which enhances heat dissipation and reduces edge vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the cleaning blade contains inorganic fillers to increase weight and prevent chattering sound, then vibration is suppressed, but frictional heat increases causing edge softening and breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration stabilityVSAvoidedge temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning blade is divided into two distinct layers: a contact layer without inorganic fillers that contacts the photoreceptor, and a support layer containing inorganic fillers that provides structural support. This segmentation allows the heavy inorganic fillers to be positioned away from the friction interface, preventing heat generation at the edge while still providing vibration suppression through the support layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cleaning blade are assigned different material compositions tailored to their specific functions. The contact layer has a formulation optimized for low friction and heat generation, while the support layer has a formulation optimized for structural stability and vibration suppression. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by giving each region the properties it needs without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the cleaning blade runs continuously at high speed to maintain productivity, then output increases, but frictional heat accumulates causing edge breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidedge durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the blade structure into contact and support layers with different material compositions, the design enables continuous high-speed operation. The contact layer's formulation reduces frictional heating during high-speed contact, while the support layer maintains structural integrity, together allowing sustained productivity without edge breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning blade uses composite material construction with at least two different formulations: a contact layer material optimized for low friction and heat generation, and a support layer material containing inorganic fillers for structural stability. This composite approach enables the blade to withstand continuous high-speed operation while maintaining edge durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If the contact layer contains inorganic fillers to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning ability increases, but heat generation increases causing vibration and edge breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidrubbing temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the functional requirements by placing the contact layer without inorganic fillers to minimize heat generation during rubbing, while the support layer contains inorganic fillers to provide structural support. This segmentation allows cleaning quality to be maintained through proper contact layer formulation without the heat-generating inorganic fillers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact layer is specifically formulated with local quality optimized for low friction and heat generation, while the support layer has local quality optimized for structural stability. This local differentiation allows the contact layer to maintain cleaning quality without inorganic fillers that would generate heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 stabilizes cleaning quality by preventing edge breakage and reducing vibration, ensuring consistent performance across varying environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a support layer containing an inorganic filler having a thermal conductivity (λ) of 30 W/mK or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

frictional heat between the edge of the cleaning blade that comes into contact with a photoreceptor and the photoreceptor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrictional heating: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12105460B2Cleaning blade, method for manufacturing cleaning blade, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A cleaning blade includes a contact layer that is in contact with a toner image carrier, and a support layer that joins to a support member, wherein the contact layer does not contain an inorganic filler, the support layer contains an inorganic filler having a thermal conductivity (λ) of 30 W/mK or more, and the average particle diameter of the inorganic filler is in a range of 0.1 to 5.0 μm.