Movable Member Projected Cleaning Structure for Charging Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The risk of user contact with the charging member during operation of the cleaning member in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, leading to potential interference with the charging performance, when a developing cartridge with a different specification is mounted.
Innovation Solution
A movable member with a cleaning member design that includes a projected portion capable of entering a recessed portion of the cartridge, featuring a first and second side surface configuration to reduce the risk of user contact with the charging member, while allowing only cartridges with a specific specification to be mounted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning member is provided close to the charging member to clean the charging member, then the charging member can be cleaned effectively, but the user may erroneously contact the charging member during operation, affecting charging performance
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is divided into a base portion and a projected portion, with the projected portion serving as a dedicated operating interface that is spatially separated from the charging member. This segmentation allows the user to operate the cleaning member through the projected portion without contacting the charging member, while the base portion remains positioned close to the charging member for effective cleaning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the projected portion is positioned to enter the recessed portion for cartridge mounting verification, then only compatible cartridges can be mounted, but the user may still contact the charging member during cleaning member operation
Solution Approach 1:
The projected portion acts as an intermediary element between the user's hand and the cartridge mounting mechanism. It provides a safe interface for user interaction that mediates the mounting verification function while preventing direct contact with the charging member. The projected portion transmits the user's operational force to the base portion, which then interacts with the cartridge and charging member.
3Ease of operation
If the cleaning member is made accessible for user operation, then the user can easily clean the charging member, but the user may erroneously contact the charging member during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is designed with differentiated local qualities: the projected portion has a shape and position optimized for user gripping and operation, while the base portion is positioned close to the charging member for effective cleaning. This local differentiation allows the user-friendly projected portion to be spatially separated from the charging member, preventing contact while maintaining ease of operation.
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 design effectively reduces the likelihood of user contact with the charging member, ensuring proper charging performance and preventing the mounting of incompatible cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
a charging member (5Y) provided in the cartridge tray (3) and configured to electrically charge a peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum (4Y)
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning member (50Y) provided in the cartridge tray (3) and configured to clean the charging member (5Y)
Data Source
AI summary
A movable member includes a frame, a mounting portion, a rotatable image bearing member, a charging member, and a cleaning member. The cleaning member includes a base portion including a first surface positioned on one side of the frame, a second surface positioned on the other side of the frame, and a third surface, and includes a projected portion. The projected portion includes a first side surface positioned on the aforementioned the other side and a second side surface positioned on the aforementioned one side. The first side surface is positioned between the first surface and the second surface. The first side surface constitutes an end surface of the projected portion on the aforementioned the other side with respect to the axial direction, and the second side surface constitutes an end surface of the projected portion on the aforementioned one side with respect to the axial direction.