Scraping Member Support for Uniform Contact Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cleaning apparatuses in image forming systems face challenges in maintaining sufficient contact pressure of the scraping member, which affects the removal of toner discharge products, especially when using high bias voltage in electric field cleaning systems.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus with a plate-like scraping member supported by a unique support member configuration, where the base length is determined to maintain uniform contact pressure, and the scraping member is in contact with a recovery roller, utilizing an electric field to attract and remove toner residues, with a Young's modulus of 1 to 400 GPa and a recovery roller with surface roughness Rz of 0.25 to 2.00 μm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If positioning holes and threaded holes are opened through the scraping member to support it in the appropriate position, then the scraping member can be positioned accurately, but the support rigidity of the scraping member is reduced and contact pressure decreases in locations corresponding to these holes
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the scraping member and the support structure. The support member includes a supporting plate that contacts the scraping member and a fulcrum edge that provides mechanical support, allowing the scraping member to be positioned accurately without requiring holes through it. This intermediary structure maintains positioning accuracy while preserving the scraping member's rigidity and contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical fastening system using holes and threads is replaced with a fulcrum-based mechanical leverage system. The supporting plate acts as a lever with the fulcrum edge providing the pivot point, creating a mechanical advantage that maintains contact pressure without requiring penetrating holes in the scraping member.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the contact pressure of the scraping member is lowered to reduce damage to the member being cleaned, then the member surface is protected, but discharge products derived from toner are difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with non-uniform geometry where the supporting plate has a specific shape and the fulcrum edge is positioned at a calculated distance from the scraping member's leading end. This creates localized high contact pressure at the fulcrum point and along the scraping interface, while the rest of the structure maintains appropriate pressure distribution. The base length is specifically determined to concentrate force where needed for removing discharge products while protecting the member surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The base length of the scraping member is calculated and optimized based on the fulcrum position and material properties (Young's modulus). By adjusting this geometric parameter, the contact pressure distribution is optimized to effectively remove discharge products while minimizing surface damage to the member being cleaned.
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 consistent and effective cleaning performance by maintaining contact pressure and efficiently removing toner residues and discharge products, even under high bias voltage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage application unit which generates an electric field by applying a voltage with a polarity opposite to that of toner
Implementation Method 2
a plate-like scraping member which comes in contact with the surface of a member to be cleaned in order to clean out residuals from the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus includes a scraper and a support member. The scraper is in contact with a surface of a recovery roller to clean out residuals from the surface. A base portion of the scraper is held between and a fixing plate and a supporting plate. In this case, a leading end of the scraper is in contact with the surface of the recovery roller while an edge of the supporting plate serving as a fulcrum. Also, a base length d of the scraper from the fulcrum to the base portion is selected to make uniform the contact pressure of the scraper.