Elastic Cleaner with Uneven Contact for Uniform Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the uneven contact pressure of elastic members due to corrugated shapes leads to cleaning failures and increased wear, necessitating frequent component replacements and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with an elastic member having a continuous uneven shape in the predetermined direction, supported by a corresponding uneven shape support member, ensures constant contact pressure along the direction, reducing wear and preventing toner slipping through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the contact portion of the elastic member is formed in a corrugated shape continuous in the longitudinal direction, then the elastic member can adapt to the body surface, but the contact pressure becomes uneven between convex and concave portions
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with local variations in thickness along the longitudinal direction, creating regions of different support stiffness. This local quality differentiation compensates for the varying contact pressures at convex and concave portions, ensuring uniform overall contact pressure distribution while maintaining the corrugated shape's adaptability benefits.
2Area of stationary object
If the contact portion is formed in a corrugated shape, then cleaning coverage is improved, but cleaning failure occurs due to uneven contact pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness parameter of the support member is varied along the longitudinal direction to create a thickness gradient. This parameter change allows the elastic member to maintain appropriate contact pressure at both convex and concave portions, ensuring reliable cleaning across the entire corrugated surface area.
3Ease of operation
If the elastic member wears due to sliding contact, then cleaning function is maintained, but component replacement frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating local variations in support member thickness, the contact pressure is optimized to be uniform across the elastic member's contact surface. This reduces stress concentration at specific points, thereby reducing wear rates and extending component service life while maintaining effective cleaning function.
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 maintains consistent contact pressure and reduces wear on the elastic member, preventing cleaning failures and extending the replacement cycle of components, thus minimizing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member in which a contact portion in contact with the body to be cleaned is formed in an uneven shape continuous in a predetermined direction
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes a cleaner that cleans a body to be cleaned, wherein the cleaner includes: an elastic member in which a contact portion in contact with the body to be cleaned is formed in an uneven shape continuous in a predetermined direction; and a support member that supports the elastic member, and the cleaner is configured so that a contact pressure of the elastic member to the body to be cleaned is constant in the predetermined direction.