Lubricant Applicator Rotary Gauge Near-End Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lubricant applicators in image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the near-end stage of solid lubricant levels, leading to potential damage from abrasion and deterioration of image carriers due to inadequate lubrication.

Innovation Solution

A lubricant applicator with a rotary member and a detection mechanism that includes a pressing member to rotate the rotary member as the lubricant is consumed, ensuring accurate detection of the near-end stage by establishing electrical continuity between electrodes, preventing adherence of powdered lubricant and maintaining consistent lubricant supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the electrode members are disposed to contact the lubricant holder near the contact portion, then the detection circuit can detect the near-end stage of the lubricant, but powdered lubricant adheres to the electrode members hindering electrical continuity and accurate detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of lubricant near-end stageVSAvoidelectrical continuity between electrode members

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection circuit is extracted from the contact portion area where powdered lubricant is generated. The electrode members are repositioned to a location away from the contact portion, eliminating the source of lubricant powder interference while maintaining detection capability through the lubricant holder's movement toward the contact portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lubricant holder serves as an intermediary element that bridges the detection circuit and the contact portion. It is positioned away from the contact portion to avoid lubricant powder interference, yet its movement toward the contact portion when lubricant is consumed provides the detection signal, acting as a mediator between the detection system and the lubricant supply mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the lubricant holder is positioned away from the contact portion, then electrical continuity is maintained, but the detection circuit cannot accurately detect when the lubricant is almost used up

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical continuity between electrode membersVSAvoiddetection accuracy of lubricant near-end stage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lubricant holder is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It automatically moves toward the contact portion when lubricant is consumed, transforming the detection system from a static positioning approach to a dynamic one where the holder's movement itself provides the detection signal, solving both reliability and precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the solid lubricant is completely consumed, then the lubricant applicator stops supplying lubricant, but the image carrier abrades and deteriorates without lubrication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation of image forming apparatusVSAvoidabrasion and deterioration of image carrier

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The detection circuit provides preliminary warning before the lubricant is completely consumed. By detecting the near-end stage when the lubricant holder approaches the contact portion, the system can alert users to replenish lubricant in advance, preventing the harmful condition of complete lubricant depletion and image carrier abrasion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution reliably detects the near-end stage of the solid lubricant, preventing damage to the image carrier and ensuring continuous operation by maintaining a consistent lubricant supply, reducing power consumption and production costs.

Implementation Method 1

A detection circuit 183 is connected to both the first and second electrode members 181 and 182, and applies a voltage between the first and second electrode members 181 and 182 to detect whether or not an electric current flows therebetween.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9632475B2Lubricant applicator, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A lubricant applicator includes a lubricant, a supply member contactable against the lubricant to supply the lubricant to a target, and a lubricant gauge to detect whether an amount of lubricant remaining is less than a threshold value. The lubricant gauge includes a rotary member rotatable about a shaft, a pressing member to press and rotate the rotary member as the lubricant is consumed, a contact part of the rotary member pressed by the pressing member, and a detection part of the rotary member opposite to the contact part across the shaft of the rotary member.