Cleaning Device Scattering Prevention for Electrophotographic Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in preventing the leakage of developing agents, particularly when using oscillating cleaning blades, due to insufficient sealing performance and elasticity over time, leading to contamination and reduced printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a cleaning device with a scattering prevention portion that includes a first and second scattering prevention portion, where one includes an extension portion and the other an accommodation portion, utilizing elastic members and frictional contact members to effectively seal the gap between the cleaning blade and the housing portion, ensuring the developing agent does not leak, even during oscillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member is installed between the cleaning blade and housing portion to prevent developing agent leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but the sealing member cannot follow oscillation of the cleaning blade and adhesion performance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into multiple segments: a first sealing member at the cleaning blade end, a second sealing member at the housing portion end, and an extension portion connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the first sealing member seals at the blade end, the second sealing member seals at the housing end, and the extension portion provides flexibility for oscillation movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portion is designed as a flexible component that can deform and follow the oscillation movement of the cleaning blade. This flexible structure maintains sealing continuity while accommodating the dynamic motion, preventing developing agent leakage during oscillation without restricting blade movement.
2Productivity
If the cleaning blade is designed to oscillate for effective cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but the sealing member cannot maintain adhesion due to insufficient elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure transitions from a static sealing member to a dynamic system where the extension portion can deform and move with the oscillating cleaning blade. This dynamic design allows the sealing structure to adapt to blade movement, maintaining adhesion performance while enabling effective oscillation-based cleaning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing structure is employed to prevent developing agent leakage, then contamination is reduced, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the structural connection between the cleaning blade and housing portion. The extension portion serves dual purposes: it connects the first and second sealing members structurally and simultaneously provides the flexible sealing path. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies maintenance.
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 solution effectively prevents developing agent leakage from the cleaning blade, maintaining high adhesion performance and sealing efficiency over time, even when the cleaning blade oscillates, thus enhancing the reliability and quality of the image forming process.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic force of the sealing member is lowered due to deterioration according to time, and thus the sealing member may not follow the oscillation of the cleaning blade
Implementation Method 2
utilizing elastic members and frictional contact members to effectively seal the gap between the cleaning blade and the housing portion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A cleaning device configured to remove a developing agent from a photosensitive body, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including the cleaning device, are provided. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade assembly including a cleaning blade configured to remove the developing agent, and a support plate configured to support the cleaning blade. The cleaning device further includes a housing portion configured to support the cleaning blade assembly. The cleaning device further includes a scattering prevention portion configured to prevent the developing agent from leaking through a gap between an end of the cleaning blade and the housing portion in a lengthwise direction, extend in the lengthwise direction over the end of the cleaning blade, and connect the cleaning blade assembly to the housing portion.