Cleaning Member Positioning in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing the deterioration of cleaning members during pause periods, as they are often subjected to continuous contact with the cylinder surfaces, leading to wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a controller that manages the rotation of the cylinder during pause periods, positioning the cleaning member within a recess in the rotation direction of the cylinder, thereby minimizing contact and reducing wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning member is positioned to continuously contact the cylinder surface during pause periods, then the cylinder surface is maintained clean, but the cleaning member deteriorates rapidly due to continuous wear
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is rotated periodically during pause periods between image formation operations. The controller rotates the cleaning member to a position away from the cylinder surface during pause periods, and only brings it into contact with the cylinder surface when image formation is required, thus using periodic action to reduce continuous wear while maintaining cleaning functionality when needed
2Reliability
If the cleaning member contacts the cylinder surface during pause periods, then the cylinder surface is cleaned, but dirt is transferred to the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is rotated away from the cylinder surface during pause periods, so it does not contact and pick up dirt from the cylinder surface when not in use. This periodic positioning ensures the cleaning member is only active on the cylinder surface when image formation is required, preventing dirt transfer to recording media during idle periods
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the cleaning member is positioned adjacent to the recess in the rotation direction, then the cleaning member is protected from wear, but the cylinder surface may accumulate dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member's position is dynamically adjusted based on the operational state. During pause periods, the controller rotates the cleaning member to a position away from the cylinder surface to protect it from wear. During image formation, the cleaning member is positioned to contact the cylinder surface to maintain cleanliness. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between protection and cleaning functionality
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a rotatable cylinder; a rotational member rotatable integrally with the cylinder; an annular circumferential rotation member that is wound around the rotational member, and configured to circumferentially rotate along with rotation of the rotational member; a holding member that is mounted on the circumferential rotation member, and configured to rotate along with the circumferential rotation member and hold a front end of a recording medium; a recess provided in an outer circumference of the cylinder, and configured to store the holding member; a cleaning member that is to come into contact with an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder to clean the outer circumferential surface; and a controller that, in a pause period of image formation, controls rotation of the cylinder so that the cleaning member is located at a position of the recess in a rotation direction of the cylinder.