Cleaning Device Regulating Brush End Position for Downsizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning devices for collecting objects like paper dust or toner face challenges in downsizing due to the need for larger clearances to accommodate varying ends of adsorption brushes, which increases the product width and hinders the miniaturization of associated equipment like electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The cleaning device incorporates a first rotating member with a brush for electrostatic adsorption, a second rotating member for further adsorption and transfer, a removable unit for collecting the adsorbed objects, and a housing container. A sealing member is strategically positioned between the second adsorption rotating member and the housing container, and a regulating member ensures the end surface of the first adsorption rotating member remains within the contact region between the sealing member and the second adsorption rotating member, thereby minimizing clearance and product size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a brush having a long hair is used as the first adsorption rotating member to handle unevenness of surface to be cleaned, then cleaning capability is improved, but the end of the brush varies between the brush and the second adsorption rotating member, causing larger clearance to be needed and increasing device size
Solution Approach 1:
The first adsorption rotating member is divided into multiple independent brush units, each capable of adapting to surface unevenness. This segmentation allows the brush ends to maintain consistent positioning while preserving cleaning capability, eliminating the need for excessive clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush hair length is optimized to a specific range that balances cleaning capability and positional stability. By changing the parameter of brush hair length to an optimal value, the system achieves effective cleaning without excessive variation in brush end positions, reducing the required clearance.
2Reliability
If the sealing member is disposed with a large clearance on the outer side to prevent sealing failure, then sealing reliability is improved, but the product width increases and downsizing is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The brush end position is regulated in advance by the regulating member before the sealing member needs to function. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the brush end does not extend beyond the contact region, allowing the sealing member to be positioned with minimal clearance while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating member acts as an intermediary between the brush and sealing member, controlling brush end position to prevent excessive extension. This intermediary mechanism enables the sealing member to be positioned closer to the brush without compromising sealing reliability, thus reducing product width.
3Device complexity
If the position of the first adsorption rotating member end is not regulated, then device complexity is reduced, but the end position varies causing larger clearance and increased device size
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating member is designed to automatically regulate the brush end position through mechanical interaction during normal operation. This self-service mechanism maintains precise positioning without requiring complex external control systems, achieving position control with minimal increase in device complexity.
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 allows for the downsizing of the cleaning device while maintaining effective object collection, thereby enabling the miniaturization of associated equipment and improving detachability and cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first rotating member including a first adsorption portion configured to electrostatically adsorb an object to be collected from a surface to be cleaned
Implementation Method 2
a second rotating member including a second adsorption portion configured to electrostatically adsorb the object to be collected from the first adsorption portion
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes a first rotating member including a first adsorption portion configured to electrostatically adsorb an object to be collected from a surface to be cleaned, a second rotating member including a second adsorption portion configured to electrostatically adsorb the object to be collected from the first adsorption portion, a removable unit for removing the object to be collected adsorbed to the second adsorption portion, a housing container for housing the object to be collected, and a sealing member disposed between an end of the second adsorption portion in a longitudinal direction along a rotational axis of the second rotating member and the housing container. The cleaning device includes a regulating member for regulating a position of an end surface of the first adsorption portion to be inside of a contact region between the sealing member and the second adsorption portion in the longitudinal direction.