Coated Cleaning Blade for Low-Torque Image Bearer Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning mechanisms in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues such as increased torque and wear at the contact point between the cleaning blade and the image bearer, leading to potential stalling and cleaning defects due to friction and curling of the cleaning blade edge, especially during continuous printing of high-density images.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning blade with a coating layer containing fine particles and a binding component, where the maximum penetration depth of the indenter is between 4.0 μm and 10.0 μm, ensuring effective cleaning and reducing torque by making the coating layer brittle and prone to collapse, thus maintaining pressure at the contact point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning blade with elastic member is used to clean the image bearer, then cleaning performance is improved, but friction increases causing torque increase and potential stalling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the hardness of the coating layer through nanoindentation hardness test, specifying that the maximum penetration depth hmax is between 4.0 μm and 10.0 μm. This hardness parameter optimization reduces friction between the cleaning blade and image bearer, thereby reducing torque while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining an elastic cleaning blade substrate with a coating layer containing fine particles and binding component. This composite structure provides both the elasticity needed for effective cleaning and the reduced friction properties to minimize torque increase
2Reliability
If the cleaning blade contacts the image bearer surface, then cleaning is effective, but abrasion occurs causing wear and curling of the contact edge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hardness parameter of the coating layer through controlled nanoindentation penetration depth (4.0-10.0 μm), which reduces abrasion wear during the sliding contact between cleaning blade and image bearer, thereby extending service life while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer is designed as a consumable component that can be easily replaced. By optimizing its hardness to reduce wear, the patent extends the life of this disposable element, reducing maintenance frequency and costs
3Force
If the coating layer is made brittle and prone to collapse, then torque is reduced, but cleaning pressure may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the hardness parameter through nanoindentation penetration depth (4.0-10.0 μm) to achieve the optimal balance. This specific parameter range ensures the coating layer is sufficiently brittle to reduce torque while maintaining enough structural integrity to preserve cleaning pressure at the contact point
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 effectively suppresses torque increase and maintains excellent cleaning performance even during continuous high-density image printing, preventing curling and toner escape, thereby ensuring stable operation and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the maximum penetration depth hmax of the indenter of a microhardness tester is between 4.0 μm and 10.0 μm at a position 100 μm inward from the front edge ridge part of the coating layer on the undersurface of the elastic cleaning blade substrate as measured according to a nanoindentation hardness test
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a charging device, an irradiator, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and a cleaning device that includes a cleaning blade including an elastic cleaning blade substrate including the front end portion to clean the surface of the image bearer, the front edge ridge part, the undersurface, an edge layer, a coating layer disposed on the front end portion, the coating layer being in contact with the surface of the image bearer to clean the surface of the image bearer, and a cleaning blade supporting member, wherein the maximum penetration depth hmax of the indenter of a microhardness tester is between 4.0 μm and 10.0 μm at a position 100 μm inward from the front edge ridge part on the undersurface of the elastic cleaning blade substrate as measured according to a nanoindentation hardness test.