Cleaning Unit Positioning for Compact Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in downsizing the cleaning unit due to the need for a larger longitudinal width of the cleaning member compared to the developing member, leading to potential toner image remnants on the transfer belt and image defects, exacerbated by dimensional tolerances and mounting errors from interposed components.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus features a cleaning unit that is removably mountable and movable with respect to the transfer unit, allowing for precise positioning of the cleaning member relative to the image forming unit, enabling a smaller width for the cleaning brush while maintaining effective toner removal, by using a frame unit to position the cleaning member with respect to the apparatus main body, thus minimizing tolerances and errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the longitudinal width of the cleaning member is reduced to downsize the cleaning unit, then the cleaning unit becomes more compact, but the cleaning member may not fully remove residual toner from the belt, causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is designed to be movable relative to the transfer unit in the longitudinal direction, allowing the cleaning member to be dynamically positioned to optimally contact and clean the entire surface of the transfer belt, ensuring complete toner removal while maintaining a compact overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit is made as a separate, removably mountable module that can be independently adjusted and maintained, allowing for precise positioning of the cleaning member relative to the transfer belt to ensure effective cleaning with minimal width
2Volume of moving object
If the longitudinal width of the cleaning member is reduced, then the cleaning unit can be downsized, but dimensional tolerances and mounting errors from interposed components make high accuracy positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is extracted as a separate, removably mountable module from the main apparatus body, eliminating the need to pass through multiple interposed components for positioning. This direct mounting approach minimizes the accumulation of dimensional tolerances and mounting errors, enabling high accuracy positioning of the cleaning member with reduced width
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning mechanism serves as an intermediary between the cleaning unit and the transfer unit, providing precise alignment and positioning of the cleaning member relative to the transfer belt, thereby compensating for potential manufacturing tolerances and enabling accurate positioning with a compact cleaning member
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus including a cleaning unit removably mountable to an apparatus main body under a state of being supported by a transfer unit, and movable with respect to the transfer unit in a longitudinal direction of a cleaning member under a state of not being mounted to the apparatus main body. The apparatus main body includes a frame unit portion configured to position a cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body in an axial direction of a photosensitive drum. The frame unit portion is configured to position the cleaning member with respect to the apparatus main body in the longitudinal direction under a state in which the transfer unit is mounted to the apparatus main body.