LED Head Cleaning Mechanism for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the close proximity of the LED head to the photosensitive drum leads to toner scattering, which can adhere to the light emission surface, causing image failures and requiring a cleaning member that risks damaging the drum or the LED head during operation.
Innovation Solution
A movement unit reciprocates the light emitting device between exposure and retracted positions, with a regulation portion that prevents the cleaning member from contacting the photosensitive drum and ensures the cleaning portion effectively wipes the light emission surface without separation during sliding movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the LED head is arranged very close to the photosensitive drum to reduce apparatus volume, then the apparatus is downsized, but scattered toner can adhere to the light emission surface causing image failures
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member performs preliminary cleaning of the light emission surface before toner adhesion causes image failures. The blade is positioned to contact the light emission surface and remove scattered toner proactively, preventing density unevenness and maintaining image quality despite the close proximity arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If a cleaning member is inserted through an insertion hole in the housing to clean the LED head, then the light emission surface can be cleaned, but the cleaning member may contact and damage the photosensitive drum
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion hole in the housing serves as an intermediary passage that allows the cleaning member to reach the LED head without direct access to the photosensitive drum. The housing structure acts as a physical barrier and guide, enabling the blade to clean the light emission surface while preventing contact with the drum surface.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cleaning member is slid in contact with the photosensitive drum to prevent contact with the drum surface, then the drum is protected, but foreign matters adhering to the drum may be rubbed against it causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is extracted from the photosensitive drum area and relocated to the LED head area. The blade contacts only the light emission surface of the LED head, removing the need for any cleaning member contact with the photosensitive drum entirely. This eliminates the risk of rubbing damage from foreign matters while maintaining drum protection.
4Ease of operation
If the distal end portion of the cleaning member is allowed to reach the LED head for cleaning, then the light emission surface can be cleaned, but the distal end may contact and damage the light emission surface
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is designed with localized cleaning function only at the blade portion that contacts the light emission surface. The blade dimensions and positioning are optimized to clean only the necessary area of the LED head light emission surface, while the housing structure and insertion hole configuration prevent the distal end from reaching or contacting the photosensitive drum or other sensitive areas.
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 allows reliable cleaning of the light emission surface while preventing contact with the photosensitive drum, thereby preventing damage and ensuring consistent image formation.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting points, which are arrayed in a direction intersecting a rotation direction of the photosensitive drum and are configured to emit light in accordance with image information so as to form an electrostatic latent image on a surface of the photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 2
a lens, which is configured to image light emitted from the plurality of light emitting points on the surface of the photosensitive drum
Implementation Method 3
a cleaning portion configured to rub and clean the light emission surface by a sliding movement of the cleaning member in a longitudinal direction of the light emitting device on the light emission surface of the light emitting device positioned at the retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus, including: a cartridge including a photosensitive drum and a regulation portion; a light emitting device configured to emit light from a light emission surface to the photosensitive drum; and a movement unit configured to reciprocate the light emitting device between an exposure position and a retracted position, wherein the regulation portion regulates a cleaning member, which includes a cleaning portion configured to rub and clean the light emission surface by a sliding movement of the cleaning member on the light emission surface of the light emitting device positioned at the retracted position so as to prevent the cleaning member from contacting the photosensitive drum and so as to bias the cleaning portion to prevent the cleaning portion from being separated from the light emission surface during the sliding movement of the cleaning member.