Drum Cartridge Movable Cleaning Roller Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, recording media often get caught between the cleaning roller and the photosensitive drum, making it difficult to remove them during image forming operations.
Innovation Solution
A drum cartridge design that includes a lever system allowing the first cleaning roller to pivot and move between contact and separate positions relative to the photosensitive drum, enabling easy removal of caught recording media by spacing the roller apart from the drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning roller contacts the photosensitive drum to collect paper powders or fibers, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but recording media may get caught between the cleaning roller and the photosensitive drum making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning roller is designed with a movable mounting structure that allows it to dynamically change position between contact and separation states. The roller can be moved away from the photosensitive drum when paper jams occur, and return to contact position during normal operation, providing adaptive functionality that resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and ease of medium removal.
2Reliability
If the cleaning roller is positioned close to the photosensitive drum for effective cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex requiring additional positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit is segmented into independently movable components, allowing the cleaning roller to be separated from the main drum assembly. This segmentation enables the roller to be positioned close to the photosensitive drum for effective cleaning while providing independent control to move away when needed, managing the complexity through modular design.
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
Facilitates the removal of caught recording media by allowing the cleaning roller to be easily disengaged from the photosensitive drum, simplifying the process and preventing paper jams.
Implementation Method 1
a lever positioned at an outer surface of the drum cartridge, the outer surface of the drum cartridge positioned toward the side of the photosensitive drum, the lever extendable in a second direction different from the first direction, the lever being pivotable with respect to the outer surface of the drum cartridge about a second axis extending in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A drum cartridge and a method are disclosed. An example drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum, a first cleaning roller positioned to a side of the photosensitive drum. The drum cartridge includes a lever positioned at an outer surface of the drum cartridge. The outer surface of the drum cartridge is positioned toward the side of the photosensitive drum. The lever is extendable in a second direction different from the first direction, and the lever is pivotable with respect to the outer surface of the drum cartridge about a second axis extending in the first direction. The lever is pivotable between an extended position and a retracted position. The drum cartridge includes an engagement portion movable with pivoting of the lever between an engaged position when the lever is in the extended position and a disengaged position when the lever is in the retracted position.