Developer Roll End Seal Toner Removal via Photoconductive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices face challenges in economically removing residual toner from the end seal regions of the developer roll, which can disrupt function and affect print quality, as current solutions like ridges or corrugation add cost to the production of the developer roll and CRU.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an adjacent photoconductive member with non-imaging regions that are charged and discharged to electrostatically attract and transfer away residual toner from the end seal regions of the developer roll, using a controller to initiate cleaning during specific times, such as between scan lines or pages, and a blade to scrape off the toner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ridges or corrugation are added to the developer roll to direct toner away from seals, then toner removal effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The photoconductive member's non-imaging regions are utilized to perform the cleaning function themselves by being charged and discharged to electrostatically attract and transfer toner from the end seal regions, eliminating the need for additional structural features like ridges or corrugation
Solution Approach 2:
The non-imaging regions of the photoconductive member, which would otherwise be idle areas, are repurposed to perform the toner removal function from the developer roll end seals, making the photoconductive member multi-functional
2Reliability
If additional cleaning structures are added to remove toner from end seals, then print quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing photoconductive member performs the cleaning function through controlled charging and discharging of its non-imaging regions, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms or structures
Solution Approach 2:
The toner removal function is merged with the existing photoconductive member's operation by utilizing its non-imaging regions during the imaging process, combining two functions into one component
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 method effectively removes residual toner from the developer roll without adding cost to the production, ensuring efficient cleaning and maintaining print quality by utilizing the photoconductive member's non-imaging regions to attract and transfer toner away from the end seal regions.
Implementation Method 1
the non-imaging regions become charged and discharged to electrostatically attract and transfer away the toner from the end seal regions
Data Source
AI summary
A developer roll includes end seal regions subject to accumulating residual toner. An adjacent photoconductive member has a longitudinal extent with a central area defining an imaging region and longitudinal ends outside the central area defining non-imaging regions. The photoconductive member has a length extending beyond a length of the developer roll so that the end seal regions of the developer roll contact the non-imaging regions of the photoconductive member. During cleaning, the non-imaging regions become charged and discharged to electrostatically attract and transfer away the toner from the end seal regions. A blade scrapes clean the toner from the photoconductive member.