Image Carrier Cleaning Layout for Better Powder Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal and scraping performance of powder from the outer peripheral surface of an image carrier in an image forming apparatus is compromised when the location of the removing or scraping portion is above the imaginary horizontal plane that includes the rotation axis, leading to accumulation and decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The contact location of the removing portion is positioned below the imaginary horizontal plane passing through the rotation axis of the image carrier, ensuring smooth discharge of powder and preventing accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the removing portion is located above the imaginary horizontal plane passing through the rotation axis, then the structure is simpler, but powder accumulates at the removal location and removing performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the removing portion below the imaginary horizontal plane passing through the rotation axis, rather than above it. This inversion changes the gravitational flow path of the powder, allowing it to naturally discharge downward without accumulation, thereby maintaining high removing performance while avoiding the need for complex additional discharge mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If multiple sets of storage sections have the same capacity, then the device complexity is reduced, but powder cannot pass through the gap when the upper surface approaches the gap, decreasing scraping performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the storage section capacities according to the actual powder generation amounts of each image carrier. Storage sections with larger capacities are provided for image carriers that generate more powder, while those with smaller capacities are provided for image carriers that generate less powder. This localized differentiation ensures that powder levels never approach the gap in any storage section, maintaining consistent scraping performance across all sets without requiring uniform (and potentially oversized) storage capacities throughout.
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
This configuration enhances the removing and scraping performance by preventing powder accumulation, maintaining efficient operation of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a contact location that is a location at which the removing portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier is located below an imaginary horizontal plane passing through the rotation axis of the image carrier
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier that is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis and that carries an image; and a removing portion that removes powder adhering to an outer peripheral surface of the image carrier by coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier that rotates, in which one set of an image forming section that includes the image carrier and the removing portion and that forms an image is provided or a plurality of sets of the image forming sections are provided, and in which, in the one set of the image forming section or in at least one image forming section among the plurality of sets of the image forming sections, a contact location that is a location at which the removing portion comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier is located below an imaginary horizontal plane passing through the rotation axis of the image carrier.