Double-Helical Foamed Cleaning Member for Charging Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging devices in image-forming apparatuses face challenges in effectively cleaning the charging member surfaces, leading to variations in charging performance due to residual foreign matter, which affects the maintenance and longevity of the device.
Innovation Solution
A charging device with a cleaning member featuring two foamed elastic layers disposed in a double-helical pattern around a core, where the first layer with a smaller skeleton size effectively scrapes off foreign matter and the second layer with a larger skeleton size levels it, ensuring thorough cleaning and maintaining performance over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single foamed elastic layer is used in the cleaning member, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning performance deteriorates due to inability to effectively remove and level foreign matter
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is divided into two distinct foamed elastic layers with different skeleton sizes. The first layer (with smaller skeleton size) scrapes off foreign matter from the charging member surface, while the second layer (with larger skeleton size) levels the scraped foreign matter. This segmentation allows each layer to perform a specific cleaning function, improving overall cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cleaning member (the two foamed elastic layers) are given different local qualities through varying skeleton sizes. The first layer has a smaller average skeleton size for effective scraping, while the second layer has a larger average skeleton size for leveling. This local differentiation optimizes the cleaning action at each stage of the cleaning process.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If foreign matter accumulates on the charging member surface, then the device operates continuously, but charging performance deteriorates due to in-plane variation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member performs preliminary cleaning action by scraping off foreign matter before it can accumulate and cause significant charging performance deterioration. The double-layer structure with different skeleton sizes provides a two-stage cleaning mechanism that proactively removes and levels foreign matter, preventing in-plane variation and maintaining consistent charging performance over extended operation periods.
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 inhibits the increase in foreign matter deposition and in-plane variation on the charging member surface, thereby improving the cleaning performance and maintaining it over an extended period.
Implementation Method 1
a first foamed elastic layer having an average skeleton size D1 smaller than an average spacing Sm between irregularities in the surface of the charging member
Implementation Method 2
a second foamed elastic layer having an average skeleton size D2 larger than or equal to the average spacing Sm between the irregularities in the surface of the charging member
Data Source
AI summary
A charging device includes a charging member that charges a member to be charged and a cleaning member that is disposed in contact with a surface of the charging member and that cleans the surface of the charging member. The cleaning member includes a core and two foamed elastic layers disposed adjacent to each other in an axial direction around an outer peripheral surface of the core from one end to another end of the core in a substantially double-helical pattern. The two foamed elastic layers are a first foamed elastic layer having an average skeleton size D1 smaller than an average spacing Sm between irregularities in the surface of the charging member and a second foamed elastic layer having an average skeleton size D2 larger than or equal to the average spacing Sm between the irregularities in the surface of the charging member.