Lubricant Application Apparatus for Image Formation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image formation apparatuses face challenges in controlling the lubricant amount on photoreceptors, leading to inefficient lubricant application and increased risk of image deletion, especially in high temperature and high humidity environments, due to difficulties in managing toner removability and recoverability.
Innovation Solution
An image formation apparatus with a lubricant application system comprising a solidified powdery lubricant stick, an application brush, a recovery roller, and a controller that adjusts the removability and recoverability of toner by applying specific voltages to control the lubricant amount on the photoreceptor, allowing for three operational modes to maintain optimal lubricant levels based on usage and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If voltage is applied to the application brush and recovery roller to improve removability of toner, then removability of the application brush improves, but it becomes difficult to increase the amount of toner reaching the cleaning blade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic control of voltage application to the recovery roller, allowing the system to adapt to different operational conditions. The controller adjusts the voltage applied to the recovery roller based on detected conditions (such as cleaning blade wear state or lubricant film thickness), enabling flexible control of toner recoverability while maintaining good removability of the application brush. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system versatile rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameter (voltage) applied to the recovery roller to control the recoverability of toner. By adjusting the voltage magnitude and polarity, the system can control the amount of toner reaching the cleaning blade, thereby controlling the lubricant amount on the photoreceptor. This parameter change enables flexible adaptation to different conditions while maintaining effective removability.
2Ease of operation
If uniform voltage control is applied to the application brush and recovery roller, then removability is improved, but adaptability to environmental conditions such as high temperature and high humidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller monitors environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) and the state of the image formation unit (cleaning blade wear, lubricant film thickness) and adjusts the voltage applied to the recovery roller accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to environmental conditions while maintaining effective removability of the application brush, resolving the contradiction between uniform control and environmental adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static uniform voltage control to dynamic conditional voltage control. The controller dynamically adjusts the voltage parameters based on real-time detection of environmental conditions and system state, enabling the system to adapt to high temperature and high humidity environments while maintaining effective removability of the application brush.
3Reliability
If the cleaning blade wears and lubricant amount decreases, then cleanability deteriorates, but increasing lubricant amount may cause image deletion in high temperature and high humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback from detection means that monitor the state of the cleaning blade and the lubricant film thickness to dynamically adjust the voltage applied to the recovery roller. When the cleaning blade is new and lubricant amount is low, the system increases recoverability to supply more lubricant. When the cleaning blade is worn and lubricant amount is sufficient, the system reduces recoverability to prevent excessive lubricant that could cause image deletion. This feedback control resolves the contradiction between maintaining cleanability and preventing image deletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameter (voltage) applied to the recovery roller to dynamically control the recoverability of toner, thereby controlling the lubricant amount on the photoreceptor. By adjusting this parameter based on the state of the cleaning blade and environmental conditions, the system maintains optimal lubricant levels that ensure cleanability while preventing image deletion in high temperature and high humidity environments.
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 solution ensures stable cleanability and extends the life of the image formation apparatus by maintaining appropriate lubricant levels, reducing image deletion risks, and adapting to changing environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
voltage having polarity reverse to that of toner is applied to the application brush
Implementation Method 2
voltage for forming a recovery electric field for recovering toner from the application brush is applied to the recovery roller
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus having a lubricant application apparatus applying lubricant to an image carrier in an image former, in which the lubricant application apparatus includes: a lubricant stick; an application member disposed on an upstream side in an advancing direction of the image carrier surface with respect to a cleaning apparatus pressing lubricant supplied to the image carrier to form a film, supplying lubricant scraped off from the lubricant stick to the image carrier, and removing residual toner adhering to the image carrier; and a recovery member in contact with the application member, and recovering toner adhering to the application member, and the image formation apparatus includes a hardware processor controlling a lubricant amount on the image carrier by changing each of removability of residual toner on the image carrier by the application member, and recoverability of residual toner on the application member by the recovery member.