Transfer Belt Cleaning System for High-Coverage Patch Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the process of toner refreshing on roll sheets is inefficient due to limitations in cleaning performance, leading to increased patch output time and user waiting time, especially when using roll sheets, as existing belt cleaning devices cannot handle high-coverage patches effectively without causing blade abrasion or turn-up.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a transfer belt, a first cleaning section, and a second cleaning section with enhanced cleaning performance, where the second section is positioned upstream and activated only when a high-coverage patch is necessary, using blades with increased contact angle and force to manage high-coverage patches and low-coverage patches at the ends, allowing for efficient toner refreshing without blade abrasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single belt cleaning device is used to remove toner from the transfer belt, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot effectively handle high-coverage patches without causing blade abrasion or turn-up
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into two independent cleaning devices: a first belt cleaning device for normal toner removal and a second belt cleaning device specifically for high-coverage patch removal. Each device operates independently with its own blade, allowing specialized handling of different cleaning scenarios without compromising the other function.
Solution Approach 2:
The second belt cleaning device is configured to operate only when high-coverage patches need to be removed. The system dynamically switches between the first and second cleaning devices based on the cleaning requirements, enabling the apparatus to adapt to varying toner coverage conditions.
2Reliability
If the patch output time is increased to allow thorough cleaning, then cleaning performance improves, but user waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second belt cleaning device is positioned upstream of the first cleaning device in the toner removal process. By performing preliminary cleaning of high-coverage patches with the second device before the first device completes its cycle, the system prepares the transfer belt for more efficient subsequent cleaning, reducing overall patch output time.
Solution Approach 2:
The two cleaning devices operate in a continuous coordinated manner. While the first cleaning device handles normal toner removal continuously, the second cleaning device activates when needed to handle high-coverage patches, ensuring that cleaning action is continuous and optimized for different toner conditions without interruption.
3Reliability
If high-coverage patches are removed with increased cleaning force, then cleaning performance improves, but blade abrasion and turn-up occur
Solution Approach 1:
The second belt cleaning device is specifically designed with blade parameters optimized for high-coverage patch removal, while the first cleaning device maintains blade parameters suitable for normal toner removal. This local optimization allows each blade to operate within safe force and angle limits appropriate for its specific cleaning task, preventing premature wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The second belt cleaning device acts as an intermediary that handles the extreme cleaning requirement of high-coverage patches, protecting the first cleaning device from operating under excessive force conditions that would cause blade damage. The system uses the second device as a mediator to handle situations requiring higher cleaning intensity.
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 enables short and efficient toner refreshing on roll sheets without causing blade abrasion or turn-up, reducing waiting times for users by effectively handling high-coverage patches and maintaining cleaning performance within safe contact force and angle limits.
Implementation Method 1
a belt cleaning device for removing the remaining toner is provided
Implementation Method 2
the blade is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt to scrape out the high-coverage patch
Implementation Method 3
irradiate (expose) a charged photoconductor (image bearing member) with (to) laser light based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image
Implementation Method 4
The electrostatic latent image is then visualized by supplying toner from a developing device to the photoconductor
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a second cleaning section, an image formation control section configured to control an image forming section to form a high-coverage patch on a transfer belt, and a cleaning control section configured to control the second cleaning section to perform cleaning of the patch on the transfer belt.