Space Maintaining Member Contamination in Image Formers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foreign substances accumulating on the space maintaining member in image forming apparatuses cause irregularities in the developing nip or gap between the photoconductor and developer delivery member, leading to printing defects.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cleaning member to remove developer and foreign substances from the photoconductor surface, with space maintaining members positioned between the cleaning member and sealing members to prevent contamination and maintain a constant developing gap or nip, while sealing members absorb developer leakage and guide it into a waste storage chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the space maintaining member is located on the same axis as the developer delivery member to maintain a constant developing gap, then the developing gap consistency is improved, but foreign substances accumulate on the space maintaining member causing printing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The space maintaining member is extracted from the common axis with the developer delivery member and repositioned to a location adjacent to the photoconductor but offset from the developer delivery member axis. This separation removes the space maintaining member from the harmful developer flow path while preserving its gap-maintaining function, thereby preventing foreign substance accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning member is introduced as an intermediary element between the space maintaining member and the environment. This cleaning member actively removes foreign substances from the space maintaining member surface, preventing accumulation while allowing the space maintaining member to continue its gap-maintaining function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the space maintaining member contacts the photoconductor to maintain developing nip, then the developing nip stability is improved, but the space maintaining member becomes contaminated with developer
Solution Approach 1:
The space maintaining member is extracted from direct contact with the developer flow path by repositioning it away from the developer delivery member axis. This allows the member to maintain developing nip stability through photoconductor contact without accumulating developer contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member is configured to automatically clean the space maintaining member during normal operation, creating a self-service system where contamination is continuously removed without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cleaning member is positioned to clean the photoconductor surface, then foreign substance removal is improved, but the cleaning member may interfere with the space maintaining member function
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member and space maintaining member are positioned at different locations along the photoconductor surface, with the cleaning member operating at one location and the space maintaining member at another. This spatial differentiation allows both components to perform their functions independently without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member and space maintaining member are arranged in different spatial dimensions and orientations relative to the photoconductor. The cleaning member contacts the photoconductor at an angle or position that does not conflict with the space maintaining member's gap-maintaining contact, allowing both to coexist without interference.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus having an improved configuration to prevent foreign substances from accumulating on a space maintaining member used to maintain a constant distance between a photoconductor and a developer delivery member. The image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor, a developer delivery member to deliver and feed developer to the photoconductor, a cleaning member to remove the developer and foreign substances remaining on a surface of the photoconductor while coming into contact with the photoconductor, and a space maintaining member arranged to come into contact with the photoconductor so as to maintain a constant developing gap or developing nip between the photoconductor and the developer delivery member. The space maintaining member is located between both ends of the cleaning member.