Movable Brush Member for Uniform Fiber Orientation in Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses with electrophotographic systems, the non-uniformity of fiber yarn directions in brush members leads to sparse and dense fiber densities, causing toner non-uniformity and resulting in faulty image formation.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus includes a brush member with a flat shape and fiber yarns that can come into contact with the image bearing member. The brush member and image bearing member are relatively movable between positions where the leading end of the fiber yarn separates from and comes into contact with the image bearing member, with the approaching and separating directions controlled to maintain uniform fiber yarn directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the brush member is fixed to the apparatus main body in contact with the photosensitive drum surface, then the brush member can clean the surface and control untransferred toner polarity, but the fiber yarn directions become non-uniform causing sparse and dense fiber density regions
Solution Approach 1:
The brush member is designed to be movable relative to the photosensitive drum rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and maintain uniform fiber yarn directions during operation. This dynamic configuration prevents the fiber density non-uniformity that occurs with fixed brush members.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush member is positioned and configured in advance with uniform fiber yarn directions before contact with the photosensitive drum. The movable design ensures that the fiber yarns maintain their uniform orientation during the cleaning process, preventing non-uniformity from developing during operation.
2Productivity
If the contact pressure of the brush member is increased to improve cleaning effectiveness, then more toner can be removed from the photosensitive drum surface, but the non-uniform fiber density causes toner to accumulate in sparse regions creating longitudinal streaks
Solution Approach 1:
The movable brush member design allows the system to maintain optimal contact pressure for effective toner removal while preventing the fiber yarns from developing non-uniform directions. This dynamic configuration ensures even toner distribution across the brush surface, eliminating longitudinal streaks in the final image.
3Manufacturing precision
If the brush member is made movable to maintain uniform fiber yarn directions, then faulty image formation is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to additional movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The brush member is designed with movable components that allow it to adjust its position relative to the photosensitive drum. This dynamic design maintains uniform fiber yarn directions and prevents faulty image formation, while the movement mechanism is integrated in a way that balances complexity with functionality.
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 prevents the occurrence of faulty image formation by ensuring uniform fiber yarn directions and consistent contact pressure, thereby maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a brush member that includes a fiber yarn and has a flat shape, and that can come into contact with a surface of the image bearing member
Implementation Method 2
a charging member that charges the image bearing member and is rotatable
Implementation Method 3
a developing member that develops, as a developer image, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image bearing member
Implementation Method 4
a transfer member that transfers the developer image to a recording material
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a brush member that includes a fiber yarn and that can come into contact with a surface of an image bearing member at a downstream of a transfer member and at an upstream of a charging member in a rotation direction of the image bearing member. The image bearing member and the brush member are relatively movable to a first position at which a leading end of the fiber yarn separates from the surface of the image bearing member, and a second position at which the leading end of the fiber yarn comes into contact with the surface of the image bearing member. A relative approaching direction of the brush member to the image bearing member upon relative movement from the first position to the second position is a direction from a downstream side to an upstream side in the rotation direction.