Electrostatically Implanted Fibers for Photosensitive Drum Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning methods for photosensitive members in electrophotographic processes, such as brush members, electrically charged rollers, and rubber blades, either fail to effectively remove large paper dust without damaging the member or increase manufacturing costs and risk deformation of components.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning member with a base fabric and electrostatically implanted fibers lying flat on its surface, which contacts the photosensitive member to remove paper dust without causing damage, reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining component integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a brush member with standing fibers is used to knock off paper dust, then paper dust can be removed from the photosensitive member, but the paper dust may be caught between the fibers and damage the photosensitive member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotosensitive member protectionVSAvoidpaper dust catching and damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the fibers from standing to lying flat on the surface. This parameter change prevents paper dust from being caught between fibers while still allowing effective contact with the photosensitive member for dust removal, thereby eliminating the damage risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a thin film structure (base fabric) with fibers lying flat on its surface, creating a flexible cleaning interface that contacts the photosensitive member without rigid protrusions that could catch and hold large paper dust particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If electric removal of paper dust using a cleaning roller is employed, then paper dust can be removed without damaging the photosensitive member, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotosensitive member protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, complex electrical cleaning mechanisms with a simple, inexpensive fabric structure with implanted fibers. This disposable-like simple structure achieves effective cleaning without the need for voltage application systems, significantly reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electrical field-based cleaning mechanism with a mechanical contact system using fibers lying flat on a fabric. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for power supplies, control circuits, and voltage application mechanisms while maintaining effective paper dust removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If a rubber blade is used to remove paper dust, then manufacturing cost is reduced and no additional mechanisms are needed, but large friction causes blade deformation and photosensitive member damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfriction-induced damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface contact characteristics by using fibers lying flat on a fabric rather than a continuous rigid blade surface. This parameter change reduces friction concentration and distributes contact pressure, preventing both blade deformation and photosensitive member damage while maintaining low manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining a base fabric with electrostatically implanted fibers. This composite material provides both the mechanical flexibility needed to reduce friction damage and the surface characteristics for effective paper dust removal, unlike a simple rubber blade.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Effectively removes paper dust from photosensitive members without catching toner, preventing damage to the member and reducing the need for additional cleaning mechanisms, thus enhancing printing quality and reducing apparatus size.

Implementation Method 1

fibers electrostatically implanted on a surface of the base fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS7689155B2Cleaning member for photosensitive drum

Publication Date: 2010.03.30 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A cleaning member is for use in contact with a photosensitive member in an electrophotographic process to remove a paper dust adhered to the photosensitive member. The cleaning member includes: a base fabric; and fibers electrostatically implanted on a surface of the base fabric and lying substantially flat along the surface of the base fabric.