Process Cartridge Roller Alignment for Stable Contact Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses experience unstable contact pressure between cleaning rollers due to deformation when they rotate in contact with each other, leading to inconsistent cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A process cartridge design where a first roller is pressed against a photoconductor, and a second roller is pressed against the first roller in a direction parallel to the initial pressing direction, using urging members to maintain consistent contact pressure and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first cleaning roller and the second cleaning roller rotate concurrently while they are in contact with each other, then the cleaning function is achieved, but each of the rollers deforms at its center portion leading to unstable contact pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressing direction of the second roller from a direction different from the first pressing direction to a direction parallel to the first pressing direction. This dimensional change in the application of force prevents the rollers from deforming at their center portions while maintaining stable contact pressure during concurrent rotation.
2Area of stationary object
If the second cleaning roller is pressed against the first cleaning roller in a direction different from the first pressing direction, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the contact pressure becomes unstable due to roller deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention aligns the second pressing direction parallel to the first pressing direction, creating a consistent force application geometry. This dimensional alignment ensures that the rollers maintain stable contact pressure throughout the cleaning process while still achieving comprehensive cleaning coverage.
3Reliability
If the first cleaning roller is pressed against the photoconductor drum and the second cleaning roller is pressed against the first cleaning roller in different directions, then the cleaning effectiveness is enhanced, but the system complexity increases due to unstable contact dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
By making the second pressing direction parallel to the first pressing direction, the invention simplifies the contact dynamics between rollers. This alignment reduces the complexity of the contact mechanism while maintaining enhanced cleaning effectiveness, as the rollers rotate concurrently with stable contact pressure.
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 stable contact pressure between the rollers, preventing deformation and improving the cleaning process by maintaining accurate alignment and efficient force transmission, thus enhancing the reliability of the image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first urging member configured to urge the first roller and the second roller in a first direction toward the photoconductor
Implementation Method 2
a second urging member configured to urge the second roller in a second direction toward the first roller
Implementation Method 3
a first roller having a peripheral surface to be pressed against the peripheral surface of the photoconductor and configured to rotate around a first axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A process cartridge includes: a photoconductor having a peripheral surface; a first roller having a peripheral surface to be pressed against the peripheral surface of the photoconductor and configured to rotate around a first axis of rotation; a second roller having a peripheral surface to be pressed against the peripheral surface of the first roller and configured to rotate around a second axis of rotation which is parallel to the first axis of rotation; a first urging member configured to urge the first roller and the second roller in a first direction toward the photoconductor; and a second urging member configured to urge the second roller in a second direction toward the first roller. The second urging member is arranged such that the second direction is parallel to the first direction.