Solid Lubricant Coating Device for Electrophotographic Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed image-forming in electrophotographic devices leads to increased generation of image noises such as blurring and flowing due to higher output of charging units and sensitivity of photosensitive members, which are exacerbated by exposure to O3 and NOx, and existing solid lubricant-coating technologies do not adequately prevent these issues while also shortening the lifespan of the photosensitive member.
Innovation Solution
A solid lubricant-coating device with a supply roller, pressing unit, flattening unit, and cleaning unit that applies and recovers a solid lubricant thin film on the photosensitive member, with specific thickness relational formulae (B-A≧8 and A≧4) to ensure effective lubrication and noise prevention, while maintaining the member's longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the output of the charging unit is increased to accelerate image-forming, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors (O3 and NOx emission) increase
Solution Approach 1:
A solid lubricant film is introduced as an intermediary protective layer between the photosensitive member surface and the harmful O3 and NOx generated by the high-output charging unit. This lubricant film acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact between the harmful substances and the photosensitive member, thereby allowing high-speed image-forming without causing image noises or degrading the photosensitive member
2Productivity
If the sensitivity of the photosensitive member is increased to accelerate image-forming, then productivity is improved, but harmful factors (image noises) increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solid lubricant film serves as a protective intermediary layer on the photosensitive member surface. This lubricant layer prevents O3 and NOx from directly altering the photosensitive member surface properties, thereby preventing image noises such as blurring and flowing even when high sensitivity is used for accelerated image-forming
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the photosensitive member surface is abraded to remove altered properties, then harmful factors (image noises) are reduced, but duration of action (lifetime) decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of abrading the photosensitive member surface to remove altered properties, a solid lubricant film is applied as a protective intermediary layer. This lubricant film prevents O3 and NOx from altering the photosensitive member surface in the first place, eliminating the need for abrasive maintenance and thereby extending the photosensitive member lifetime while preventing image noises
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a solid lubricant is applied to the photosensitive member surface, then harmful factors (image noises) are prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solid lubricant coating device is designed to automatically apply and maintain the lubricant film on the photosensitive member surface during normal operation. The supply roller continuously supplies lubricant, and the flattening unit forms a uniform thin film, creating a self-maintaining protective system that prevents image noises without requiring complex external intervention or manual maintenance
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 effectively prevents image blurring and flowing even at high speeds, while extending the lifespan of the photosensitive member by ensuring stable lubricant film formation and recovery, thus addressing the noise and durability challenges faced by existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a supply roller installed in contact with the solid lubricant and the latent image-supporting member that scrapes off the solid lubricant and supplies the scraped solid lubricant onto the surface of the latent image-supporting member by self rotation
Implementation Method 2
a flattening unit installed in contact with the latent image-supporting member at a downstream position of the supply roller in the rotation direction of the latent image-supporting member that forms a thin film of the supplied solid lubricant on the latent image-supporting member surface
Implementation Method 3
a cleaning unit installed in contact with the latent image-supporting member at an upstream position of the supply roller in the rotation direction of the latent image-supporting member that removes the residual toner on the latent image-supporting member surface and recovers the solid lubricant thin film on the latent image-supporting member surface
Data Source
AI summary
A solid lubricant-coating device is provided with a solid lubricant to be applied to the surface of a latent image-supporting member; a supply roller for scraping and supplying the solid lubricant onto the surface of the latent image-supporting member by self rotation; a pressing unit for pressing the solid lubricant onto the supply roller; a flattening unit for forming a thin film of the supplied solid lubricant on the surface of the latent image-supporting member; and a cleaning unit for removing the residual toner on the surface of the latent image-supporting member and recovering the solid lubricant thin film on the surface of the latent image-supporting member, wherein, when a thickness of the solid lubricant thin film immediately before the supply roller in the rotation direction of the latent image-supporting member is designated as thickness A (nm) and a thickness immediately after the flattening unit is designated as thickness B (nm), the thicknesses A and B satisfy the following relational formulae (1) and (2): B−A≧8 (1) and A≧4 (2).