Cleaning Device Auger Toner Transport for Photoconductor Drum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning devices for image forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively managing toner particles on photoconductor drums, particularly in efficiently scraping and transporting toner bands and transfer-object images to ensure continuous operation and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a rotating brush for lubricant supply, a cleaning member for scraping toner, a storing portion for toner collection, and a transporting member like an auger to move toner particles from one axial end to the other, along with moving members to redistribute toner particles towards the rotating brush, ensuring efficient toner management and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cleaning member scrapes toner from the image carrying member surface, then toner removal efficiency is improved, but toner particles accumulate in the storing portion causing operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where toner particles scraped from the image carrying member are collected in a storing portion, then transported by a transporting member (auger) to a discharge port for removal from the system. This continuous discard-recover cycle prevents toner accumulation that would otherwise interfere with cleaning operations and maintain productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful accumulated toner from the cleaning system by providing a dedicated transporting member that removes toner particles from the storing portion and discharges them externally. This separation of the cleaning function from the toner storage and removal function resolves the contradiction by actively managing toner quantity.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If toner is stored in a storing portion for later use, then image forming continuity is improved, but toner distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a moving member that actively moves toner particles within the storing portion toward the discharge port and cleaning area. This dynamic movement prevents static accumulation and ensures uniform toner distribution, resolving the contradiction between maintaining continuous operation and preserving toner composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transporting member and moving member work together to automatically redistribute and manage toner particles within the storing portion, enabling the system to self-regulate toner distribution without external intervention, thus maintaining both continuity and uniformity.
3Productivity
If a rotating brush supplies lubricant to the image carrying member surface, then scraping efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating brush serves multiple functions: it supplies lubricant to reduce friction during scraping, agitates toner particles for better removal, and potentially transports toner toward the storing portion. This multi-functionality improves scraping efficiency while minimizing the need for additional separate components, thus managing device complexity.
4Reliability
If cleaning members continuously scrape toner from the image carrying member, then image quality consistency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous scraping and toner removal operations through the coordinated action of the cleaning member, transporting member, and moving member. This continuous operation ensures consistent image quality by preventing toner re-deposition, while the systematic flow of toner through the system optimizes energy usage compared to intermittent cleaning cycles.
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 ensures effective scraping and transportation of toner particles, maintaining the cleanliness of the photoconductor drum and enhancing the image forming process by preventing toner accumulation and ensuring consistent image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating brush that supplies lubricant to a surface of an image carrying member
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning member provided on a downstream side of the rotating brush in a direction of rotation of the image carrying member and that cleans the image carrying member by scraping toner from the surface of the image carrying member
Implementation Method 3
a transporting member that transports the toner in the storing portion from the first axial end of the image carrying member toward a second axial end of the image carrying member
Implementation Method 4
a moving member that moves the toner in the storing portion toward the rotating brush
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes a rotating brush that supplies lubricant to a surface of an image carrying member on which an end toner image is formed at a first axial end, a cleaning member provided on a downstream side of the rotating brush in a direction of rotation of the image carrying member and that cleans the image carrying member by scraping toner from the surface of the image carrying member, a storing portion that stores the toner scraped by the cleaning member, a transporting member that transports the toner in the storing portion from the first axial end of the image carrying member toward a second axial end of the image carrying member, and a moving member that moves the toner in the storing portion toward the rotating brush.