Cleaning Unit Counter-Rotation for Image Support Scrubbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face image defects due to charged products adhering to the image support, which are not effectively scrubbed off when the lubricant film weakens the scrubbing force, leading to blurry edges or white spots in prints.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning blade and an application brush, where the application brush scratches off lubricant particles and provides them with an electrical moving force to ensure effective scrubbing of the image support, preventing charged products from adhering to the lubricant film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a solid lubricant is applied to the image support to reduce abrasion, then the service life of the image support is extended, but the scrubbing force of the application brush is weakened, causing charged products to adhere and create image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The application brush rotates in the counter direction at a contact position with the image support, creating dynamic relative motion that enhances scrubbing force. This dynamic action allows the brush to effectively remove charged products even in the presence of lubricant particles, preventing image defects while maintaining reduced abrasion benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The application brush rotates periodically in the counter direction, creating periodic scrubbing action that continuously removes charged products from the image support surface. This periodic counter-rotation ensures consistent cleaning effectiveness throughout the operational cycle
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the force of the application brush is reduced to minimize abrasion, then the abrasion of the image support is reduced, but charged products are not effectively scrubbed off, leading to image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The application brush rotates in the counter direction opposite to the image support rotation, creating asymmetric relative motion. This asymmetric counter-rotation generates enhanced scrubbing action that effectively removes charged products without requiring increased brush force, thus maintaining low abrasion while preventing image defects
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating in the same direction as the image support, the application brush rotates in the counter direction. This inverted rotation direction creates a scrubbing action that is more effective at removing charged products while maintaining gentle overall treatment of the image support surface
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 prevents image defects by ensuring a constant scrubbing force is maintained, effectively removing charged products and extending the service life of the image support and cleaning blade, resulting in high-quality prints without image noise.
Implementation Method 1
The application brush rotates in a counter direction at a contact position with the image support, thereby scratching off lubricant particles from a solid lubricant provided at its periphery, and supporting and feeding the lubricant particles toward the contact position
Implementation Method 2
a moving force providing unit that provides the lubricant being fed by the application brush with an electrical moving force toward the image support
Implementation Method 3
a cleaning blade that is provided downstream from the transfer area in a rotational direction of the image support and scrapes off untransferred toner remaining on the image support
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a cleaning unit includes: a cleaning blade that scrapes off untransferred toner remaining on an image support; an application brush that contacts the image support on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the image support relative to the cleaning blade, the application brush rotating in a counter direction at a contact position with the image support, thereby scratching off lubricant particles from a solid lubricant provided at its periphery, and supporting and feeding the lubricant particles toward the contact position with the image support; and a moving force providing unit that provides the lubricant being fed by the application brush with an electrical moving force toward the image support, on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the application brush relative to the contact position of the image support and the application brush.