Cleaning Roller Guiding Portion for Charging Roller Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image forming devices using the contact-charging method, contamination from foreign matter on the charging roller leads to non-uniform surface resistance and unstable discharging, as minute particles remain on the image carrier despite cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a cleaning roller having a core and a porous elastic layer that contacts and cleans the charging roller, supported rotatably and guided to maintain contact, effectively removing contaminants by forming a nip portion and using a sponge layer to deform and trap foreign matter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cleaning roller is supported to rotate freely without guidance, then the structure is simpler, but the cleaning contact becomes unstable and ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning contact stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding portion acts as an intermediary element between the cleaning roller support and the charging roller. It provides a constrained movement path that ensures stable cleaning contact without requiring complex fixed positioning mechanisms. The guiding portion mediates between the need for rotational freedom and the need for positional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning roller is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to rotate freely on its support while the guiding portion constrains its movement to a specific arc path. This dynamic design enables the cleaning roller to adapt to slight variations in charging roller position while maintaining reliable cleaning contact throughout the rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the cleaning roller contacts the charging roller at multiple points, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the risk of foreign matter entering the contact area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidforeign matter contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning contact area is effectively segmented by the guiding portion, which creates a defined nip portion between the cleaning roller and charging roller. This segmentation isolates the cleaning interface, allowing effective multi-point contact while preventing foreign matter from the broader environment from entering the contact zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding portion converts the potential harm of foreign matter entry into a benefit by creating a controlled nip portion. The same structural feature that defines the contact area also acts as a barrier, preventing foreign matter from contaminating the cleaning interface while maintaining the beneficial multi-point cleaning contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the cleaning roller is fixed in position, then foreign matter entry is prevented, but cleaning uniformity across the charging roller surface deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign matter preventionVSAvoidcleaning uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding portion creates a localized controlled environment (nip portion) where cleaning occurs. Within this local area, the cleaning roller maintains optimal contact pressure and positioning, ensuring uniform cleaning across the charging roller surface while the broader system remains protected from foreign matter contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 stable and uniform charging by continuously cleaning the charging roller, preventing contamination and maintaining cleaning performance, thereby improving the uniformity of charging and preventing abnormal discharging.

Implementation Method 1

a porous elastic layer that contacts and cleans the charging roller... using a sponge layer to deform and trap foreign matter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the cleaning member contacting and cleaning the charging roller by rotation of the cleaning roller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7616913B2Charging roller cleaning device with guiding portion and image forming device having same

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

A cleaning device includes a cleaning roller, a supporting portion and a guiding portion. The cleaning roller has a core and a cleaning member provided around the core, the cleaning member contacting and cleaning a charging roller by rotation of the cleaning roller, the charging roller charging an image carrier carrying an image. The supporting portion supports the core rotatably in a state in which the cleaning member is in contact with the charging roller. The guiding portion movably guides the core, which is supported by the supporting portion, in a direction different from a direction of a straight line passing through a rotational center of the charging roller and a rotational center of the cleaning roller.