Cleaning Device Comb Agitator Toner Bridging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the toner collecting section often experiences clogging due to excessive toner input, leading to bridging issues with the conveying screw, which affects the efficiency and reliability of the toner removal process.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a comb-shaped agitator is introduced, featuring bent portions that vibrate and contact the conveying screw to prevent toner bridging by loosening and discharging toner effectively, ensuring continuous operation and preventing clogs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional conveying screw is used to transport toner, then the structure is simple, but toner bridging and clogging occur leading to poor reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration by equipping the conveying screw with a vibration mechanism that generates oscillatory motion. This vibration prevents toner particles from adhering to the screw surface and eliminates bridging between toner particles, thereby preventing clogging and ensuring reliable continuous conveyance of toner from the developing device to the cleaning device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static conveying screw into a dynamic system by adding vibration capability. The conveying screw can now operate in two modes: normal rotation for conveyance and vibration mode for preventing clogs. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational conditions and maintain reliability without excessive structural complexity.
2Productivity
If the conveying screw operates continuously without vibration, then energy consumption is low, but toner clogging occurs reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by applying vibration intermittently rather than continuously. The vibration mechanism is activated periodically to prevent toner bridging and clogging, then deactivated during normal conveyance operations. This periodic vibration ensures continuous productivity by preventing stops due to clogs while minimizing energy consumption by not vibrating constantly.
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 agitator effectively inhibits toner bridging and ensures smooth conveyance, maintaining the apparatus's efficiency and extending the operational life of components by preventing clogs and ensuring consistent toner removal.
Implementation Method 1
The agitator is to vibrate through contact with the conveyor
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade disposed in contact with a rotator, a toner collecting section disposed along the rotator and the cleaning blade and includes a groove extending in an axial direction of the rotator, a conveyor disposed in the groove, and an agitator disposed on a side of a rim of the groove. The conveyor rotates to convey the toner in a longitudinal direction of the groove. The agitator vibrates through contact with the conveyor and includes comb-tooth portions lined in a comb shape in the longitudinal direction of the groove, and bent portions, each of which is bent from an end of one of the comb-tooth portions. The comb-tooth portions contact a circumference of the conveyor to vibrate. The bent portions are lined at intervals smaller than intervals on a base side of the comb-tooth portions.