Cleaning Member with Rigid Support Plate for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning members for image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining effective contact with moving toner-covered surfaces without curling, which affects cleaning performance, especially when the amount of toner is small or during low image density operations.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning member comprising an elastic contact plate with a corner portion and a support plate, where the elastic contact plate projects from the support plate's distal end surface, ensuring the corner portion contacts the toner-covered surface without curling, and the support plate's higher rigidity prevents the elastic contact plate from being curled during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning member uses an elastic contact plate to maintain contact with the moving toner-covered surface, then cleaning performance is improved, but the elastic contact plate tends to curl during use
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member combines an elastic contact plate with a rigid support plate to create a composite structure. The elastic contact plate (first cleaning member) maintains contact with the toner-covered surface while the rigid support plate (second cleaning member) prevents curling by providing structural support from the opposite side. This composite approach allows the elastic material to perform its cleaning function without deforming.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member is divided into two distinct functional parts: the elastic contact plate that directly contacts the toner-covered surface for cleaning, and the rigid support plate that provides structural stability. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning member structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to prevent curling while maintaining contact is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By using a composite structure of two plates bonded together, the invention achieves both manufacturing simplicity and functional reliability. The bonding process is straightforward, and the resulting structure naturally prevents curling through the counteracting forces of the two plates with different rigidities.
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 solution ensures continuous contact with the toner-covered surface, securing effective cleaning performance even with small amounts of toner, preventing curling and maintaining efficient cleaning operations across varying toner densities.
Implementation Method 1
the support plate being more rigid than the elastic contact plate
Implementation Method 2
an elastic contact plate that includes a distal end surface with a corner portion to be brought into contact with a cleaning target surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning member includes: an elastic contact plate that includes a distal end surface with a corner portion to be brought into contact with a cleaning target surface, which is moved with toner attached thereto, of a cleaning target body; and a support plate bonded to the elastic contact plate from a back surface side of the elastic contact plate to support the elastic contact plate, the support plate being more rigid than the elastic contact plate. The distal end surface of the elastic contact plate projects from a distal end surface of the support plate.