Lubricant Applying Unit Controller for Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with maintaining a constant lubricant supply to rotative image carriers over long periods, leading to excessive lubricant application and potential developing failures due to lubricant accumulation in the transport brush.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a lubricant applying unit that includes a rotative transporter, an ejector, and a collector, controlled by a controller to maintain the lubricant retention within a predetermined limit, ensuring stable lubricant supply and preventing excessive accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transport brush is used to apply lubricant to the image carrier, then the lubricant can be transported to the circumferential surface, but the lubricant accumulates deep in the bristles over time, causing excessive lubricant supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing lubricant ejection before the lubricant can accumulate excessively in the brush bristles. The controller is configured to eject lubricant from the brush at predetermined intervals or based on accumulated rotation counts, preventing the buildup that would lead to unstable supply conditions. This proactive approach maintains the brush in an optimal state for consistent lubricant application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the controller that periodically ejects accumulated lubricant from the transport brush at predetermined intervals. This periodic ejection cycle prevents continuous accumulation while ensuring the brush maintains adequate lubricant for stable application. The periodic maintenance rhythm balances lubricant retention with prevention of excessive buildup.
2Productivity
If the brush rotates continuously to supply lubricant, then lubricant application is maintained, but the amount of lubricant supplied increases over time leading to excess supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback control through the controller that monitors the rotation count of the transport brush and the amount of lubricant supplied. Based on this feedback information, the controller determines when to eject accumulated lubricant from the brush. This closed-loop control prevents excessive supply by adjusting the ejection timing according to actual usage conditions, maintaining optimal lubricant application levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by ejecting excess lubricant that has accumulated in the brush bristles at predetermined intervals. The controller manages the discard process by activating the ejection mechanism when accumulation reaches certain thresholds, thereby recovering from the excess condition and returning the system to optimal operating parameters for consistent lubricant supply.
3Device complexity
If no lubricant management system is implemented, then the device structure remains simple, but lubricant accumulation causes developing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the transport brush to eject its own accumulated lubricant through the controlled ejection mechanism. The brush serves itself by periodically removing excess lubricant that would otherwise cause developing failures, eliminating the need for complex external management systems while maintaining reliability. This self-managing approach balances structural simplicity with effective lubricant control.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a rotative image carrier and transferring the image onto an object, including: a cleaning unit removing a residual material from the image carrier; and a lubricant applying unit applying lubricant to a circumferential surface of the image carrier, the lubricant applying unit including: a rotative transporter picking up and retaining lubricant, transporting the lubricant to a lubricant application point, and supplying a portion of the lubricant to the image carrier at the lubricant application point; an ejector causing the transporter to eject a portion of the lubricant retained by the transporter; a collector collecting the portion of the lubricant ejected from the transporter; and a controller controlling ejection of the portion of the lubricant so as to maintain the amount of the lubricant retained by the transporter as no greater than a predetermined upper limit.