Separate Motor Cleaning Unit for Belt Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses with laser printers face challenges in effectively removing polymerized toner from the belt surface, leading to potential image quality deterioration due to increased contact pressure requirements, which can result in higher operational loads and irregular belt speeds.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a cleaning unit with a cleaning roller driven by a separate motor, allowing for enhanced contact pressure without increasing the overall load on the belt, thereby maintaining image quality while reducing the size, cost, and power consumption of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact pressure of the cleaning roller is increased to enhance cleaning performance, then polymerized toner removal is improved, but load on the belt increases causing speed irregularity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cleaning mechanism into two independent parts: a cleaning roller for removing toner and a separate blade for scraping. This segmentation allows the cleaning roller to operate with optimized contact pressure for toner removal without transmitting excessive load to the belt, as the blade handles the heavier scraping function separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning roller acts as an intermediary between the belt surface and the blade. It first removes loose toner particles through controlled contact, then the blade scrapes remaining residue. This intermediary approach prevents direct high-force contact between the blade and belt, reducing speed irregularity.
2Reliability
If contact pressure of the blade is increased to enhance cleaning performance, then polymerized toner removal is improved, but load on the cleaning unit increases affecting belt operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented into two stages: the cleaning roller performs initial toner removal with minimal force, and the blade performs secondary scraping. This segmentation distributes the total cleaning force across two components rather than concentrating it on one high-force element.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning roller performs partial cleaning action by removing the majority of loose toner particles before the blade acts. This partial action reduces the burden on the blade, allowing it to operate with lower force than would be required if it had to remove all toner directly from the belt.
3Reliability
If an exclusive motor is used to drive the cleaning unit separately, then cleaning performance is enhanced without affecting belt operation, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning roller and blade into a single integrated cleaning unit that is driven by one motor. This combination allows both cleaning functions to operate simultaneously from a single power source, avoiding the need for separate motors while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor driving the cleaning unit performs multiple functions: it rotates the cleaning roller for toner removal and simultaneously positions/rotates the blade for scraping. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated motors for each cleaning component, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus that includes: a sheet conveying belt that conveys a sheet to a position opposed to an image carrier; a cleaning unit that cleans the sheet conveying belt; a first driving unit that drives the sheet conveying belt; a second driving unit that drives the cleaning unit, the second driving unit being independent from the first driving unit; and a sheet conveying mechanism that conveys the sheet separately from the sheet conveying belt, wherein the second driving unit drives at least a part of the sheet conveying mechanism.