Lubricant Supplying Device Downstream Electrode Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lubricant supplying devices for image forming apparatuses often experience erroneous detection of remaining lubricant amounts due to the electrode member and lubricant retaining member failing to make contact, especially when the lubricant is low, leading to inadequate protection of the image carrier and potential wear.

Innovation Solution

The lubricant supplying device is designed with a remaining amount detecting unit positioned on the downstream side in the rubbing direction of the supplying member, ensuring reliable detection by maintaining contact between the detecting components even when the lubricant is low, thus preventing erroneous detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the electrode member is positioned on the upstream side in the rubbing direction of the supplying member, then the device structure is simplified, but the detection reliability deteriorates due to failure to maintain contact between detecting components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection device structureVSAvoidremaining amount detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional positioning approach by placing the electrode member on the downstream side instead of the upstream side in the rubbing direction. This inversion ensures that the electrode member maintains contact with the lubricant retaining member even when lubricant levels are low, thereby resolving the contact failure issue while keeping the device structure simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the electrode member is positioned to detect remaining lubricant amount, then the detection function is provided, but contact failure occurs between the electrode member and lubricant retaining member causing erroneous detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremaining lubricant amount detectionVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by positioning the electrode member on the downstream side in advance, so that it is pre-configured to maintain contact with the lubricant retaining member throughout the detection process. This preliminary positioning prevents contact failure before it can occur, ensuring accurate detection of remaining lubricant amounts

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

This configuration ensures accurate detection of the lubricant's remaining amount, preventing image carrier deterioration and ensuring continuous protection, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of the image forming apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

for the protection of and lowering the friction of an image carrier such as a photosensitive element and an intermediate transfer belt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the electrode member and the conductive lubricant retaining member abut each other and become a conductive state from a non-conductive state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9081347B2Lubricant supplying device, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

In an embodiment, provided is a lubricant supplying device that includes: a solid lubricant; a supplying member that supplies lubricant of the solid lubricant to a lubricant supplying target; and a remaining amount detecting unit that detects an amount of the solid lubricant being at a given amount or less. The remaining amount detecting unit is provided on a downstream side in a rubbing direction of the supplying member with respect to the solid lubricant.