Cleaning Member Elastic Layer Cover Length for Image Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cleaning members in image forming apparatuses face issues with uneven image density due to non-contact regions between the elastic layer and the core, leading to slipping and inadequate cleaning performance, which results in reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning member design with an elastic layer that covers the core's surface, where the circumferential cover length is greater at the end portions than at the central portion, ensuring a controlled non-contact region of 0° to 15° rotation angle, preventing slipping and enhancing cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elastic layer is made to cover the entire core surface uniformly, then the cleaning contact area is maximized, but the circumferential cover length becomes insufficient at end portions causing slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different circumferential cover lengths to different axial positions of the elastic layer. Specifically, the end portions of the elastic layer in the axial direction are designed to cover a greater circumferential length of the core compared to the central portion. This local differentiation ensures that the end portions maintain reliable contact with the charging member during rotation, preventing slipping while the central portion provides adequate cleaning contact area.
2Ease of operation
If the circumferential cover length at end portions is increased, then slipping is prevented, but the non-contact region becomes too large affecting image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the non-contact region parameter by controlling the rotation angle to be within 0° to 15° when viewed from one side in the axial direction of the core. This parameter control ensures that the increased circumferential cover length at end portions prevents slipping while limiting the non-contact region to an acceptable range that does not adversely affect image density uniformity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the elastic layer covers the core uniformly in circumferential direction, then manufacturing is simplified, but cleaning performance becomes inadequate due to slipping at end portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the circumferential cover length of the elastic layer along the axial direction of the core. The end portions are designed with greater circumferential coverage compared to the central portion. This localized differentiation improves cleaning performance by preventing slipping at end portions during rotation, while the overall construction remains feasible for manufacturing.
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 effectively suppresses uneven image density by ensuring consistent contact and reduced slipping, thereby improving the cleaning member's ability to follow the charging member and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning member including a core and an elastic layer disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the core
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning member includes a core and an elastic layer disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the core. A circumferential cover length over which the elastic layer covers the core in a circumferential direction is greater at least at one of first and second end portions in an axial direction of the core than at a central portion in the axial direction. The central portion in the axial direction extends from one end to the other end of the core in the axial direction. When the cleaning member is rotated by a member to be cleaned, a non-contact region in which the first and second end portions in the axial direction are not in contact with the member to be cleaned is in a range from approximately 0° to approximately 15° in terms of a rotation angle of the cleaning member viewed from one side in the axial direction.