Conductive Cleaner Blade for Charge Roller Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The buildup of contamination on the surface of the charge roller in image forming devices, such as laser printers, reduces the ability to charge the photoconductive drum accurately, leading to decreased print quality and shorter charge roller life due to the attraction of particulate contamination like CaCO3 and residual toner.
Innovation Solution
A conductive cleaner blade with an electrical potential is positioned adjacent to the photoconductive drum to charge the contamination particles, allowing them to be electrically repelled from the charge roller, thereby reducing buildup and extending the life of the charge roller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charge roller is used to charge the photoconductive drum, then the drum can be charged to the required voltage, but contamination particles accumulate on the charge roller surface reducing its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the electrostatic charge mechanism that causes contamination to accumulate on the charge roller and converts it into a beneficial cleaning effect. By applying a reverse polarity voltage to the cleaner blade, contamination particles are electrostatically attracted to the blade and removed from the charge roller surface, transforming the harmful accumulation into a useful self-cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaner blade serves as an intermediary element between the charge roller and the contamination particles. It is positioned to contact or closely approach the charge roller surface and is electrically connected to a voltage source of opposite polarity, acting as a mediator that attracts and removes contamination without directly interfering with the charge roller's primary charging function.
2Productivity
If the charge roller operates for extended periods, then productivity is maintained, but print quality deteriorates due to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner blade operates continuously alongside the charge roller during the entire printing process. As the charge roller rotates and contacts the photoconductive drum, the cleaner blade simultaneously or periodically contacts the charge roller surface to remove contamination, ensuring the charging function remains effective throughout extended operation without interruption to productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous monitoring and adjustment of the cleaner blade voltage to maintain optimal contamination removal. The voltage applied to the cleaner blade can be adjusted based on contamination levels and operating conditions, creating a feedback mechanism that ensures print quality is maintained during continuous operation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a cleaner blade is added to remove contamination, then charge roller life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaner blade is designed to serve multiple functions: it cleans the charge roller surface, prevents contamination accumulation, and can be integrated with existing drum cleaner mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cleaning systems and minimizes overall device complexity while extending charge roller life.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaner blade functionality is merged with the existing drum cleaner mechanism or integrated into the charge roller assembly. By combining the cleaning functions into a single integrated system rather than adding a completely separate mechanism, the patent reduces device complexity while achieving the goal of extending charge roller life through continuous contamination removal.
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 use of a conductive cleaner blade with an electrical potential effectively reduces contamination on the charge roller, improving print quality and extending its life by preventing particulate attraction, potentially tripling the charge roller's operational lifespan compared to systems without this feature.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive cleaner blade with an electrical potential is positioned adjacent to the photoconductive drum to charge the contamination particles
Implementation Method 2
allowing them to be electrically repelled from the charge roller
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming equipment, e.g., a laser printer includes a photoconductive (PC) drum and an associated charge roller and incorporates a conductive polymer cleaner blade having an electrical potential to sufficiently charge contamination particles on the PC drum to electrically repel from a charged surface, such as the charge roller.