Dynamic Pressing Force Adjustment for Cleaning Member Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses lack a mechanism to dynamically adjust the pressing force between the cleaning member and the belt, leading to uneven cleaning performance and increased wear on the cleaning member and belt due to constant force application.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a pressing-force changing mechanism, comprising a cleaning member, a backup member, and a control unit, which uses a combination of pivoting members, urging members, and cam members to adjust the pressing force between the cleaning member and the belt, allowing for varying force levels based on operational needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong pressing force is always applied between the cleaning member and the belt, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but wear on the cleaning member and belt increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pressing force adjustment mechanism that can change the pressing force between the cleaning member and the belt based on operational conditions. The mechanism includes a pressing force adjustment member that can move to adjust the contact pressure, allowing the system to adapt between strong pressing force for effective cleaning and reduced pressing force for minimizing wear, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and component service life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of pressing force dynamically during operation. By introducing an adjustment mechanism that can modify the contact pressure between the cleaning member and belt, the system can switch between high pressing force modes (for effective cleaning) and low pressing force modes (for reduced wear), thus addressing the contradiction between maintaining cleaning effectiveness and extending component duration
2Device complexity
If a constant pressing force is applied between the cleaning member and the belt, then the structure is simple, but cleaning performance becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic pressing force adjustment mechanism that allows the pressing force to vary during operation. This enables the cleaning member to apply appropriate pressing force at different positions along the belt contact area, ensuring uniform cleaning performance across the entire belt surface while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of a straightforward adjustment mechanism
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the pressing force is reduced to minimize wear, then component life is extended, but cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pressing force adjustment mechanism that can change the pressing force based on operational needs. The system can reduce pressing force when the cleaning member and belt are not in use or during low-demand periods to minimize wear and extend service life, while increasing pressing force during cleaning operations to maintain effective cleaning performance, thus resolving the contradiction between component durability and cleaning effectiveness
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 mechanism effectively reduces wear on the cleaning member and belt while ensuring effective cleaning by adjusting the pressing force according to the cleaning requirements, enhancing the overall performance and longevity of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The cam member has a large diameter part and a small diameter part. The cam member is configured to move the second pivoting member to separate from the first pivoting member, thereby prohibiting the second urging member from applying the urging force to the cleaning member when the large diameter part contacts the pivoting end of the second pivoting member.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a belt, a cleaning member, a backup member, a pressing-force changing mechanism, and a control unit. The cleaning member is disposed in confrontation with the belt. The backup member is disposed to pinch the belt in cooperation with the cleaning member. The pressing-force changing mechanism is configured to change a pressing force acting between the cleaning member and the belt in a state in which the cleaning member is in contact with the belt. The control unit controls the pressing-force changing mechanism to change the pressing force.