Conductive Cloth Electrification Mechanism for Rotator Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrification mechanisms for rotators in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues such as noise generation, abnormal sound, and oxidation due to sliding between metals, and rely on conductive lubricants that are not environmentally friendly or sustainable in the long term.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism using a cloth-like or sheet-like conductive member with cutout portions that allows flexibility, enabling surface contact with a contact member and a rotating shaft, thereby establishing an electrical connection without the need for conductive lubricants, utilizing the conductive cloth's flexibility to ensure stable and noise-free grounding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal members slide against each other to establish electrical connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but noise and abnormal sound are generated
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive cloth is introduced as an intermediary material between the metal contact member and the rotating shaft. The conductive cloth makes contact with the rotating shaft while being pressed by the contact member, establishing electrical connection without direct metal-to-metal sliding, thereby eliminating noise and abnormal sounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the contact interface from metal-to-metal to metal-conductive cloth. The conductive cloth has different friction and contact properties compared to metal, allowing electrical connection without the harmful sliding effects that generate noise.
2Reliability
If metal members slide against each other, then electrical connection is established, but oxidation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive cloth serves as a protective intermediary between metal surfaces, preventing direct exposure and oxidation of the metal contact member and rotating shaft. The cloth material does not oxidize like metal, thus protecting the metal components while maintaining electrical conductivity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conductive lubricant is applied to reduce sliding friction, then sliding is reduced, but environmental sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive cloth replaces the need for conductive lubricant as an intermediary material. Instead of applying a lubricant substance that may be environmentally harmful, the invention uses a solid conductive cloth material that inherently reduces friction and enables electrical connection without requiring any lubricating substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical lubrication system (conductive lubricant application) with a solid material system (conductive cloth). This eliminates the need for lubricant application, maintenance, and disposal processes, improving environmental sustainability while maintaining the function of reducing sliding friction.
4Reliability
If rigid conductive structure is used for electrical connection, then electrical connection is stable, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible conductive cloth instead of a rigid conductive structure. The cloth can deform and adapt to the rotating shaft surface while maintaining continuous electrical contact, providing both flexibility for movement and stable electrical connection throughout the rotation cycle.
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 reduces noise and oxidation issues while providing a sustainable, environmentally friendly electrification method that maintains stable electrical connections over time, eliminating the reliance on conductive lubricants and enhancing the operational reliability of electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
part of the conductive member comes into contact with an object to be electrified and the other part of the conductive member comes into surface contact with any one contact member of the rotator... so that the object to be electrified and the contact member are electrically connected to each other through the conductive member
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for electrifying a rotator that is used in an image forming apparatus includes a cloth-like or sheet-like conductive member, wherein part of the conductive member comes into contact with an object to be electrified and the other part of the conductive member comes into surface contact with any one contact member of the rotator, a rotating shaft that rotates together with the rotator, and a shaft where the rotator is rotatably supported, so that the object to be electrified and the contact member are electrically connected to each other through the conductive member.