Cleaning Blade Spring Geometry for Torque Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The constant pressure applied to contact members in cleaning blades made of polyurethane elastomers leads to permanent deformation, increasing torque and reducing the life of image carriers, and varying environmental conditions further complicate maintaining optimal contact pressure, causing either increased torque or faulty cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning blade design with a contact member and a blade spring member, where the blade spring member protrudes from the support member by a length of 10-20 mm, and the distance from the support member's edge to the fixed position is such that the ratio of this distance to the protrusion length is between 1/10 and 1/3, ensuring optimal contact pressure and reducing torque and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the fixed position of the blade spring member is placed near the first edge of the support member, then the contact pressure is maintained, but strong force is applied to the fixed part causing peeling or the blade spring member is deformed beyond the yield point and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifying that the distance from the first edge of the support member to the fixed position of the blade spring member should be between 1/10 to 1/3 of the protrusion length. This localized geometric constraint ensures that the fixed position is optimally positioned to balance contact pressure application with stress distribution, preventing both insufficient contact pressure and excessive stress concentration that would cause peeling or yield point deformation.
2Reliability
If the fixed position of the blade spring member is placed far from the first edge of the support member, then the blade spring member is less stressed, but the blade spring member is deformed in the region between the fixed position and the first edge, pulling the contact member toward the downstream and increasing peak pressure and torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by precisely controlling the position of the fixed point relative to the first edge of the support member. By setting the distance to be 1/10 to 1/3 of the protrusion length, the design ensures that the blade spring member maintains its structural integrity without excessive deformation in the region between the fixed position and the first edge, thereby preventing unwanted pulling of the contact member and controlling peak pressure levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional parameter - the ratio of the distance from the first edge to the fixed position relative to the protrusion length. This dimensional relationship creates an optimal geometric configuration that simultaneously addresses both the stress on the fixed part and the deformation of the blade spring member, transforming a one-dimensional positioning problem into a two-dimensional proportional relationship.
3Productivity
If the contact member is made of polyurethane elastomers with high cleaning capability, then cleaning performance is improved, but permanent deformation occurs under constant pressure, increasing torque and reducing image carrier life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the geometric parameters of the blade spring member configuration, specifically the distance from the first edge of the support member to the fixed position and the protrusion length. By setting the distance to be 1/10 to 1/3 of the protrusion length, the design adjusts the mechanical parameters of the system to distribute pressure more evenly, reducing peak pressures that cause permanent deformation of the polyurethane elastomer contact member, thereby extending image carrier life while maintaining cleaning capability.
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 design maintains optimal contact pressure, reduces torque, and prevents damage to the blade spring member, thereby extending the life of the image carrier and ensuring consistent cleaning performance across varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a contact member that is formed into a rectangular shape with a width corresponding to a length perpendicular to a rotation direction in which the image carrier rotates and has elasticity for removing the substance adhering to the surface of the image carrier by sliding on the surface of the image carrier
Implementation Method 2
a blade spring member that is provided with the contact member on a first end of the blade spring member and presses the contact member onto the surface of the image carrier
Implementation Method 3
a contact member that is formed into a rectangular shape with a width corresponding to a length perpendicular to a rotation direction in which the image carrier rotates and has elasticity for removing the substance adhering to the surface of the image carrier by sliding on the surface of the image carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning blade that removes a substance adhering to a surface of a rotating image carrier, includes: a contact member having elasticity for removing the substance; a blade spring member that is provided with the contact member on a first end of the blade spring member and presses the contact member onto the surface of the image carrier; and a support member that fixes and supports a second end of the blade spring member, wherein the blade spring member protrudes from a first edge of the support member by a protrusion length of L (mm), and when a distance from the first edge to a fixed position at which the blade spring member is fixed on the support member is d (mm), the length L is equal to or longer than 10 mm and equal to or shorter than 20 mm and 1/10≤d/L≤⅓ (1) is satisfied.