Rotating Lubricant Brush for Uniform Image Carrier Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic systems, existing lubricant coating methods result in lubricant wastage due to excessive scraping by smoothing blades, leading to uneven lubricant coating and reduced printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant coating device comprising a lubricant supply unit and a rotating lubricant smoothing unit that contacts the image carrier, with the smoothing unit rotating at a different speed and having a surface layer of elastic material with high release characteristics, effectively spreading and smoothing the lubricant without excessive waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a smoothing blade is used to push and spread out the lubricant on the image carrier, then the lubricant can be distributed, but the smoothing blade scrapes away the lubricant excessively causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a fixed smoothing blade that scrapes the lubricant off the image carrier, the invention inverts the approach by using a rotating lubricant brush that actively applies lubricant in the same direction as the image carrier rotation. This prevents the scraping action and reverses the lubricant flow direction to achieve uniform coating without waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a static smoothing blade to a dynamic rotating lubricant brush. The brush rotates at a speed different from the image carrier, creating a dynamic interaction that allows continuous lubricant application and redistribution without the scraping effect of a fixed blade, thereby achieving uniform coating with minimal waste.
2Loss of substance
If the abutting force of the smoothing blade is reduced to decrease lubricant scraping, then lubricant waste is reduced, but the pressure for smoothing the lubricant is insufficient resulting in coating unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the smoothing mechanism from a blade pressing against the surface to a rotating brush that conforms to the surface curvature. This allows the brush to apply lubricant with distributed pressure across its contact area, achieving uniform smoothing without concentrated scraping forces that waste lubricant.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant brush comprises flexible bristles that can conform to the image carrier surface and apply lubricant uniformly. The flexibility of the brush allows it to maintain contact and smoothing pressure without the rigid scraping action of a blade, reducing lubricant waste while ensuring even coating.
3Manufacturing precision
If a fixed smoothing blade is pressed against the rotating image carrier, then the lubricant can be smoothed, but the blade scrapes away more lubricant than necessary causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the fixed smoothing blade with a rotating lubricant brush that moves dynamically with the image carrier rotation. The brush rotation speed is controlled to be different from the image carrier speed, creating an optimal relative motion that ensures uniform lubricant application and distribution without excessive scraping and waste.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a fixed blade that scrapes lubricant off the surface, the invention uses a rotating brush that applies and redistributes lubricant in the direction of rotation. This inverted approach transforms the scraping action into a constructive application process, achieving uniform coating while minimizing lubricant waste.
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 solution achieves uniform lubricant coating on the image carrier, reducing friction and preventing surface wear, thereby enhancing printing quality and reducing lubricant consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The heating unit heats the lubricant smoothing unit. The temperature detecting unit detects a temperature of the lubricant smoothing unit. The temperature control unit controls the heating unit so as to keep the temperature of the lubricant smoothing unit at a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
The lubricant smoothing unit is disposed on the downstream side in a rotating direction of the image carrier of the lubricant supply unit and smoothes the lubricant supplied onto the outer peripheral surface. Further, the lubricant smoothing unit rotates while being in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A lubricant coating device related to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a lubricant supply unit 12 which supplies a lubricant 11 onto an outer peripheral surface of an image carrier 1 that is driven to rotate and a lubricant smoothing unit 13 which is disposed on the downstream side in a rotating direction of the image carrier 1 of the lubricant supply unit 12 and smoothes the lubricant 11 supplied onto the outer peripheral surface. In the lubricant coating device, the lubricant smoothing unit 13 rotates while being in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 1 and thereby smoothes the lubricant 11 supplied onto the image carrier 1 by the lubricant supply unit 12.