Electrostatic Collecting Device With Insulator-Conductor Distance Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrostatic collecting devices face challenges in efficiently collecting and recovering fine particles, such as toner and paper powder, from surfaces like photosensitive drums and glass substrates, due to limitations in the design of the collecting and recovering members.

Innovation Solution

The electrostatic collecting device comprises a collecting member formed of an insulator, a recovering member also formed of an insulator, and an electroconductive member positioned to oppose the recovering member through the collecting member. This configuration allows for effective electrostatic collection and recovery of substances, with the relationship between the distances L1 and L2 optimized to enhance transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the collecting member and recovering member are both made of insulator materials, then electrostatic collection and recovery efficiency is improved, but transfer efficiency of the collected substance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrostatic collection and recovery efficiencyVSAvoidtransfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the collecting member have different electrical properties in different regions: the collecting surface is made of insulator material to maintain electrostatic collection efficiency, while the recovering surface is made of conductor material to improve transfer efficiency. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between electrostatic efficiency and transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials structure where the collecting member comprises both insulator and conductor portions. The insulator portion maintains electrostatic charge for effective collection, while the conductor portion facilitates efficient transfer to the recovering member, thus resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the distance L2 between the electroconductive member and the recovering member is reduced to improve transfer efficiency, then transfer efficiency is improved, but the risk of electrical discharge or interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical discharge risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the insulator portion of the collecting member as an intermediary between the electroconductive member and the recovering member. This insulator layer acts as a mediator that allows electrical field interaction for efficient transfer while preventing direct electrical contact and discharge, thus resolving the contradiction between transfer efficiency and electrical discharge risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thin insulator film or layer on the collecting member that is thin enough to allow effective electrostatic interaction for transfer but thick enough to prevent electrical discharge. This thin film structure resolves the contradiction by providing just the right balance between electrical isolation and field interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device achieves improved transfer efficiency of paper powder from the brush roller to the recovering roller, maintaining high collecting performance and preventing image defects in electrophotographic processes.

Implementation Method 1

electrostatically collects the substance-to-be-collected from the object-to-be-cleaned in the collecting portion while being circumferentially moved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic deposition: Electrostatic Deposition

Implementation Method 2

an electroconductive member formed of an electric conductor and provided so as to oppose the recovering member positioned in a recovering portion through the collecting member positioned in the recovering portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250135512A1Electrostatic collecting device

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 CANON KK

AI summary

An electrostatic collecting device includes a collecting member, a recovering member, and an electroconductive member. The collecting member is formed of an insulator so as to form a collecting portion in contact with an object-to-be-cleaned and to form a recovering portion in contact with the recovering member, and electrostatically collects a substance-to-be-collected from the object-to-be-cleaned in the collecting portion while being circumferentially moved. The recovering member is formed of an insulator and electrostatically recovers the substance-to-be-collected from the collecting member in the recovering portion while being circumferentially moved. When a shortest distance from the electroconductive member, passing through the collecting portion, to the object-to-be-cleaned is L1 and a shortest distance from the electroconductive member, passing through the recovering portion, to the recovering member is L2, the following relationship is satisfied: L1>L2.