Cleaning Device Plate Member Toner Reserve
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the accumulation of paper dust and lubricant aggregates at the edge of the rubber blade leads to cleaning errors due to stagnant toner flow in the overflow method, causing increased angle of rupture and retention of residues, which affects the cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a cleaning blade, an applicating roller, and a plate-like member where the plate-like member contacts the applicating roller at a non-edge area, forming a toner reserve space above the contact point, with the upper end of the plate-like member positioned lower than the cleaning blade and applicating roller, and an angle between the tangent line and horizontal line set to exceed the angle of rupture, preventing toner accumulation and ensuring consistent toner supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the plate-like member is in contact with the applicating roller at the edge with a contact force exceeding some level, then the amount of toner applied onto the applicating roller surface is increased, but the toner on the applicating roller may be scraped off, or the surface of the applicating roller may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-like member is designed with different functional zones: the edge portion is limited in contact force to prevent damage, while the non-edge contact area provides the necessary toner application pressure. This local differentiation of contact characteristics resolves the contradiction between sufficient toner application and prevention of roller damage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the flow of reserved toner stagnates in the space formed by the plate-like member and applicating roller, then the angle of rupture increases, but the reverse rotation control effect is not adequately produced and aggregates are retained
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic reverse rotation of the intermediate transfer belt at predetermined timings to disrupt stagnant toner flow and prevent aggregate formation. This periodic action maintains toner flow stability during normal operation while periodically clearing residues that would otherwise degrade cleaning performance.
3Volume of stationary object
If the upper end of the plate-like member is positioned higher than the lower end of the cleaning blade, then the space for reserving toner is increased, but toner accumulation occurs and affects cleaning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical position of the plate-like member's upper end is precisely controlled to be lower than the lower end of the cleaning blade. This parameter setting optimizes the balance between providing sufficient toner reserve space and preventing toner accumulation that would interfere with the cleaning blade's operation.
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 effectively prevents the accumulation of toner in the reserve space and maintains adequate toner adhesion on the applicating roller, reducing wear and cleaning errors by ensuring proper toner distribution and preventing foreign substance accumulation at the blade edge.
Implementation Method 1
maintains adequate toner adhesion on the applicating roller
Implementation Method 2
a rubber blade for cleaning an intermediate transfer belt... increasing a frictional force between the rubber blade and the intermediate transfer belt
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device may include a cleaning blade that is in contact with an image carrier for cleaning, an applicating roller that is in contact with the image carrier at a position upstream compared to the cleaning blade, and a plate-like member that is in contact with the applicating roller. The plate-like member may be in contact with the applicating roller at a contact part which is not an edge of the plate-like member and may be arranged such that a space for reserving the toner is formed on an upper side of the contact part. An angle between a tangent line that passes the upper end of the plate-like member and touches the applicating roller on an upper side and a horizontal line that passes the upper end of the plate-like member may be larger than an angle of rupture of the toner reserved in the space.