Cleaning Device Toner Conveyance Screw Anti-Adhesion Flickers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, waste toner can solidify around the conveyance screw due to mechanical stress, reduced flowability, and external additive adhesion, leading to a blocking state that hampers toner conveyance, especially in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a housing, cleaning blade, toner conveyance path, conveyance screw, first flicker, and second flicker, where the first and second flickers press the conveyance screw from above and below, respectively, to prevent toner adhesion and maintain flowability, and the flickers' design ensures efficient toner scraping and conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single flicker is used to scrape toner from the conveyance screw, then toner removal is improved, but dead spaces remain where toner can adhere and cause blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The single flicker is divided into two separate flickers (first flicker and second flicker) that contact the conveyance screw at different locations. The first flicker contacts an upper part of the outer circumferential surface while the second flicker contacts a lower part, effectively segmenting the scraping action to eliminate dead spaces where toner could adhere and cause blocking.
2Reliability
If multiple flickers are added to reduce dead space, then toner scraping efficiency is improved, but the risk of blocking the toner conveyance path increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each flicker is designed with specific local characteristics: the first flicker has a first contact portion that contacts an upper part of the conveyance screw's outer circumferential surface, while the second flicker has a second contact portion that contacts a lower part. This local differentiation allows comprehensive toner removal without creating obstacles in the conveyance path.
Solution Approach 2:
The two flickers contact the conveyance screw at different vertical positions (upper and lower parts of the outer circumferential surface), adding a vertical dimension to the scraping action. This multi-dimensional approach ensures complete toner removal while maintaining clear pathways for toner conveyance.
3Reliability
If the flicker presses the conveyance screw strongly, then toner adhesion is reduced, but the conveyance screw may deform and affect toner flow
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using one flicker that presses strongly on the conveyance screw, the patent uses two flickers that apply partial pressing forces at different locations (upper and lower parts). This distributed partial action achieves effective toner removal while avoiding excessive localized pressure that could deform the conveyance screw and disrupt toner flow.
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 toner solidification and maintains stable conveyance capability by ensuring the conveyance screw remains clear, preventing blockages and ensuring efficient toner removal and conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
The first flicker uses a first contact portion to press a conveyance screw in a first direction toward a bottom part of a toner conveyance path. The second flicker uses a second contact portion to press the conveyance screw in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Implementation Method 2
The conveyance screw rotates in a state where the flicker abuts thereon in this manner, so that waste toner adhering to the conveyance screw is scraped off by the flicker
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes a housing, a cleaning blade, a toner conveyance path, a conveyance screw, a first flicker, and a second flicker. The conveyance screw includes a rotary shaft and a helical vane. The first flicker includes a first base portion and a plurality of first contact pieces. The second flicker includes a second base portion and a plurality of second contact pieces. An inclination angle θ1 has a value between an inclination angle θ2 and an inclination angle θ3.