Variable Compression Cleaning Member for Charging Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
In contact-charging image forming devices, contamination from foreign matter on the charging roller leads to non-uniform surface resistance and unstable charging, causing deterioration in charging uniformity and abnormal discharging due to residual toner and external additives not being effectively cleaned off.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a movable cleaning member that contacts the charging roller, featuring a holding structure allowing varying compression levels along its peripheral direction, ensuring greater compression at the operation position to enhance cleaning efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning member maintains constant compression along the charging roller, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning efficacy is insufficient at the operation position where foreign matter accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The holding structure is designed to provide different compression amounts to different portions of the cleaning member along the charging roller's peripheral direction. Specifically, the compression amount is made greater at the operation position (where foreign matter accumulates) compared to other positions, creating a localized quality enhancement that targets the specific problem area without uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding structure introduces dynamic variation in compression along the cleaning member's length, transitioning from a static uniform compression design to a dynamic gradient compression design. This allows the cleaning member to exert appropriate cleaning force at different positions, with maximum force applied where it is most needed at the operation position.
2Reliability
If the cleaning member applies high compression continuously, then cleaning performance is improved, but the cleaning member deforms and wears out faster
Solution Approach 1:
High compression is applied only locally at the operation position where foreign matter accumulates, rather than continuously along the entire cleaning member. This localized high compression maintains effective cleaning performance at the critical area while reducing overall compression elsewhere, thereby minimizing cumulative deformation and wear to extend the cleaning member's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member applies excessive (high) compression only partially at the operation position where it is most needed, rather than maintaining high compression throughout. This partial application of excessive force achieves the necessary cleaning effect at the critical location while avoiding unnecessary stress and damage to the cleaning member during other portions of its contact path.
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 removes residual toner and additives, maintaining surface resistance uniformity and preventing abnormal discharging by ensuring effective cleaning of the charging roller, thereby improving the overall charging process.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning member 108 which contacts the charging roller 14 and cleans a surface of the charging roller 14
Implementation Method 2
an amount of compression of the cleaning member 108 at a contacting portion of the charging roller 14 and the cleaning member 108 is greater at the second position than at the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device of a charging roller has: a cleaning member contacting a charging roller which charges an image carrier which carries an image, and cleaning a surface of the charging roller; and a holding structure holding the cleaning member such that the cleaning member is movable at least between a first position and a second position along a peripheral direction of the charging roller. The holding structure holds the cleaning member such that an amount of compression of the cleaning member at a contacting portion of the charging roller and the cleaning member is greater at the second position than at the first position.