EP0546751B1 - 180 Degree cleaning blade holder - Google Patents
180 Degree cleaning blade holder Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0546751B1 EP0546751B1 EP92310939A EP92310939A EP0546751B1 EP 0546751 B1 EP0546751 B1 EP 0546751B1 EP 92310939 A EP92310939 A EP 92310939A EP 92310939 A EP92310939 A EP 92310939A EP 0546751 B1 EP0546751 B1 EP 0546751B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- blade
- cleaning
- holder
- imaging surface
- blade holder
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
- G03G21/0005—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge for removing solid developer or debris from the electrographic recording medium
- G03G21/0011—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge for removing solid developer or debris from the electrographic recording medium using a blade; Details of cleaning blades, e.g. blade shape, layer forming
- G03G21/0029—Details relating to the blade support
Definitions
- This invention relates to an apparatus used to remove particles adhering to an imaging surface adapted for recirculating motion and comprising a cleaning blade.
- a photoconductive surface is charged to a substantially uniform potential.
- the photoconductive surface is imagewise exposed to record an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the informational areas of an original document being reproduced.
- a developer material is transported into contact with the electrostatic latent image.
- Toner particles are attracted from the carrier granules of the developer material onto the latent image.
- the resultant toner powder image is then transferred from the photoconductive surface to a sheet of support material and permanently affixed thereto.
- This process is well known and useful for light lens copying from an original and printing applications from electronically generated or stored originals, and in ionography.
- residual particles encompasses residual toner and other residual particles remaining after image transfer.
- the residual particles adhere firmly to the surface and must be removed prior to the next printing cycle to avoid interfering with recording a new latent image thereon.
- a cleaning brush, a cleaning web, and a cleaning blade have been used. Both cleaning brushes and cleaning webs operate by wiping the surface so as to effect transfer of the residual particles from the imaging surface. After prolonged usage, however, both of these types of cleaning devices become contaminated with toner and must be replaced. This requires discarding the dirty cleaning devices. In high-speed machines this practice has proven not only to be wasteful but also expensive.
- Blade cleaning involves a blade, normally made of a rubberlike material (i.e. polyurethane) which is dragged or wiped across the surface to remove the residual particles from the surface. Blade cleaning is a highly desirable method, compared to other methods, for removing residual particles due to its simple, inexpensive structure.
- blade cleaning there are certain deficiencies in blade cleaning which are primarily a result of the frictional sealing contact that must occur between the blade and the surface. This frictional sealing contact often leads to blade failure and as a result requires blade replacement.
- CSE customer service engineer
- the conventional process for installing the cleaning blade requires the CSE to push the blade into the holder channel until the blade reaches maximum penetration (about 1.1 cm) along the entire length of the blade.
- This is not a simple operation.
- the blade uses a friction fit to hold the blade in position inside its holder.
- the blade's snug fit causes it to stick to the sides of the holder and resist being pressed into the channel. Since the blade is pliable, the blade bends as the CSE tries to push it into its proper position, making the job difficult.
- JP-A-58-182,680 discloses a cleaning apparatus for an imaging member 1 in which a blade 4 is attached to a holder 5, the holder 5 in turn being releasably mounted on an arm 6.
- the arm 6 is rotatable about an axis 19 between cleaning position (Fig.1) and a blade edge changing position (Fig.4).
- Fig.1 cleaning position
- Fig.4 blade edge changing position
- the holder and blade are rotatable by 180° about an axis, defined by pin 25, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the imaging member: blade edge 4c replaces (worn) edge 4b.
- the present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning particles from an imaging surface adapted for recirculating motion, comprising: a cleaning blade having at least two cleaning edges spaced from one another; and means for holding said cleaning blade, said holding means being rotatable about an axis parallel to the imaging surface to position one of the cleaning edges in contact with the imaging surface, and characterised in that the holding means is rotatable by a predetermined angle about said axis, thereby positioning another cleaning edge in contact with the imaging surface, and in that the cleaning blade has at least one further cleaning edge and is removable, reversible and reinsertable in said holding means to position the further cleaning edge in contact with the imaging surface.
- Figure 1 shows a rotatable blade holder having a top component 90 and a bottom component 95 held together on each end by a spring clip or clamp 20.
- the bottom component 95 has a channel through which a shaft 30 is inserted.
- the shaft 30 extends through the channel in the base of the bottom component 95 into bearings 97, one on each end of the shaft 30, that anchor the blade holder in the machine frame 96.
- a spring 10 is helically wound about one end of the shaft 30 between the bearing 97 and the side edge of the bottom component 95 of the blade holder.
- the spring 10 expands and contracts in the directions indicated by the arrow 14.
- the other end of the shaft 30, opposite the shaft 30 end with the helically wound spring 10, terminates in a knob 80.
- the knob 80 is used to rotate the entire blade holder to the desired position to place a cleaning edge of the blade body 60 in line contact with an imaging surface (not shown in Figure 1) in order to clean the surface of residual debris.
- the knob 80 is pressed forward, in the direction indicated by arrow 13, after which the blade holder is rotated 180 degrees to bring another cleaning edge in contact with the imaging surface.
- the spring 10 contracts and the key 70 also moves forward in the direction of arrow 13.
- Figure 1 depicts, via phantom lines, the forward movement of the key 70 and the knob 80 when pressed in for rotation.
- the knob 80 rotates the blade holder to the desired blade cleaning position, the knob 80 is released allowing the spring 10 to expand to its initial position, thus moving the key 70 and the knob 80 back to their original positions.
- the upper portion of the bottom component 95 of the blade holder, located above the shaft 30 channel, has a trough or indentation 40 in which a blade rib 65 fits.
- the rib 65 is inserted into the trough 40 to guide the blade body 60 into proper alignment within the blade holder.
- the blade holder top component 90 in the figure, lies along the longitudinal center line of the top surface of the blade body 60.
- the top component 90 and the bottom component 95 of the blade holder are fastened together by a spring clamp or clip 20 on either end of the blade holder assembly to hold the blade body 60 in place.
- FIG 2 shows a sectional view of the blade holder in Figure 1.
- the spring clamp 20 has a pressure fit to hold the blade holder components 90, 95 together firmly.
- the top component 90 of the blade holder has a groove 26 into which the top end of the spring clamp 20 is slidably inserted.
- the bottom end of the spring clamp 20 has a pronged shape that forms a pressure fit around the neck of a screw 25 that extends from the base of the bottom component 95 of the blade holder.
- the screw 25 extends far enough from the base of the bottom component 95 of the blade holder, to allow the pronged end of the spring clamp 20 to fit between the head of the screw 25 and the base of the blade holder bottom 95.
- the end of the screw 25 terminates in the shaft 30 enabling a secure hold between the shaft 30 and the bottom component 95 of the blade holder.
- the blade body 60 has a total of four cleaning edges 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d that extend laterally outside of the blade holder assembly.
- the cleaning edge 60a is in line contact with the photoreceptive surface (shown in Figure 4).
- the blade holder assembly is rotated 180 degrees to second position (2). The second cleaning edge 60b is then placed in line contact with the imaging surface.
- the stationary blade holder makes removal of the blade body 60 (when it is no longer usable on the first two cleaning edges 60a, 60b ) much easier.
- blade removal requires removal of the photoreceptor, the removal task is simplified because the top component 90 of the blade holder can be totally separated from its bottom component 95 allowing a new blade edge 60d to be easily brought into position.
- the spring clamps 20 are unfastened to allow separation of the top component 90.
- the blade body 60 is removed, reversed and then reinserted in the blade holder using the rib 65 for proper alignment of the blade edges.
- the blade holder assembly After reassembling the blade holder assembly, the blade holder assembly is rotated 180 degrees back to position (1), and a third new cleaning edge 60d is in line contact with the photoreceptive surface to clean the photoreceptive surface. Rotating the blade assembly 180 degrees to position (2), prepares the fourth cleaning edge 60c for cleaning of the photoreceptive surface.
- the design of the blade body 60 and the blade holder, with the mating rib 65 and groove 40 aid proper blade alignment.
- the order of use of the cleaning edges 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d and rotation between the two positions of the blade holder for cleaning can be varied.
- FIG. 3 shows the blade holder and its separate components.
- the top component 90 of the blade holder is detachable from the remainder of the blade holder assembly when the spring clips 20 are removed.
- the grooves 26 exist on each end of the top surface of the top component 90 for the top part of a spring clip 20 to be slidably inserted.
- the screw 25 extends from the base of the blade holder, to secure the bottom part of the spring clip 20.
- the blade body 60 lies horizontally between the top component 90 and the bottom component 95 of the blade holder.
- the blade body 60 is aligned in the blade holder by insertion of the rib 65, that extends lengthwise down the centerline of the blade body 60, into the trough 40 in the bottom component 95 of the blade holder.
- the rib 65 can be molded or bonded to the bottom surface of the blade body.
- the trough 40 extends the length of the blade body 60 down the center line of the bottom component 95 of the blade holder.
- the shaft 30 runs through a channel under the trough 40 in the blade holder's bottom component 95.
- the key 70 that locks the blade holder in place after rotation
- the knob 80 in phantom lines, for rotating the blade holder, and the machine frame 96.
- Figure 4 shows the orientation of the blade holder and the blade angle when the copier is in operation.
- the cleaning blade edge has an angle of 15 to 25 degrees when the copier is in operation.
- Figure 4 shows one of the four cleaning edges in line contact with the photoreceptive surface 12.
- the arrow 15 indicates the direction of rotation of the blade holder.
- the blade body 60 has two cleaning edges (60a, 60d, and 60b,60c respectively on each side of the blade body 60, protruding from the blade holder.
- the photoreceptor belt 18, as shown, moves in the direction of arrow 17.
- the figure shows the cleaning blade edge operating in the doctoring mode. However, the cleaning blade edge can operate in either the wiping or doctoring mode.
- Figure 5 shows a blade holder with an alternative blade body configuration.
- This figure shows a blade body 61 that has a series of apertures or holes through which nodules or nubbins 100 are inserted.
- the nodules 100 are located on the top surface of the bottom component 94 of the blade holder and extend upward through the coinciding holes in the blade body 61.
- the ends of these nodules 100 terminate in mating indentations on the bottom surface of the top component 90 of the blade holder.
- the blade holder assembly and operation of Figure 1 is also applicable to this figure providing some adjustments are made for the alternate blade body 61.
- This figure's blade body 61 utilizes nodules 100 and apertures instead of a rib 65 (shown in Figure 1) to align the blade edge and secure the blade body 61 into the blade holder assembly.
- the blade body 61 of Figure 5 still provides four cleaning edges 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d as shown in Figure 6. These four cleaning edges achieve line contact with the photoreceptive surface in the same manner as the cleaning edges 60a, 60b, 60c 60d of the ribbed blade body 60 described Figure 4.
- FIG 6 shows a sectional view of the blade holder assembly in Figure 5.
- the top component 90 of the blade holder has a groove 26 into which the top end of the spring clamp 20 is slidably inserted.
- the ends of the nodules 100 are received by the mating indentations of the top component 90 of the blade holder.
- the blade body 61 is held in place by a series of nodules 100 inserted through apertures or holes in the blade body 61.
- the blade body 61 has four cleaning edges 61a, 61b, 61c and 61d.
- the bottom end of the spring clamp 20 has a pronged shape that forms a pressure fit around the neck of the screw 25 that extends from the base of the bottom component 95 of the blade holder.
- the screw 25 extends far enough from the base of the bottom component 94 of the blade holder, to allow the pronged end of the spring clamp 20 to fit between the head of the screw 25 and the base of the blade holder bottom component 94.
- the end of the screw 25 terminates in the shaft 30, to securely hold the shaft 30 in the bottom component 94 of the blade holder.
- a 180 degree rotating cleaning blade holder as described above can be installed.
- This blade holder includes a stationary holder and an improved blade design that has four cleaning edges (see Figures 1 through 6). By using this holder, the cleaning blade potentially has double the life of a conventional blade before the blade actually needs to be replaced.
- blade failure is entrapment of a particle, causing a streak on the photoreceptor. It has been noted that a particle trapped on the surface of a photoreceptor can sometimes be released by moving the cleaning blade away from the photoreceptor then returning it to its working position. When a streak failure is observed using a blade holder as shown in the drawings, the customer or CSE could easily cam back the cleaning blade, rotate the holder, then test to see if the failure persists.
- the blade holder For the cleaning blade to seal against the photoreceptor surface and insure proper cleaning, the blade holder must be sufficiently rigid to prevent bowing. It is recommended that rigidity calculations be performed and an appropriate material be selected for the new holder so that it will provide a uniform blade load across the photoreceptor.
- the typical blade material for cleaning blades is polyurethane.
- the common fabrication of polyurethane cleaning blades is through the use of a centrifuge.
- the cleaning blade be made without the use of mold release because mold release reduces the reliability of the "mold side" of the cleaning blade.
- the cleaning blade edge be on the air side and not the mold side.
- CSE's do occasionally use the mold side.
- One method of attaining four cleaning edges that are all from the air sides is to bond two separate blade bodies together on their mold sides, leaving only their air sides exposed on the top and bottom surface of the composite blade body.
- the overall thickness of the two laminated blades would be equivalent to the thickness of a conventional cleaning blade.
- Silicone blades are made without mold release which is believed to be a chief cause of the "mold side" unreliability problem.
- the cleaning blade holders shown in the drawings are rotatable 180 degrees, between two positions, to allow four different cleaning edges from the same blade body to be used to clean the imaging surface before the cleaning blade must be replaced.
- the cleaner blade body reduces the time required to install a new blade and prevents uneven wear on the blade due to improper alignment upon installation.
- Two blade configurations are discussed above, the preferred configuration comprising a rib molded or laminated perpendicular to the lateral plane of the back surface of the blade body. The rib is used as a guide to easily align the blade body into a corresponding groove in the bottom component of the blade holder for an even cleaning edge.
- the rib also secures the blade body in place as the top component of the blade holder is clamped in place, allowing the cleaning blade edges to laterally extend from opposite sides of the blade holder.
- the alternative blade configuration comprises a series of apertures in the blade body through which nodules on the top surface of the blade holder's bottom component are inserted.
- the top component of the blade holder contains the mating indentions to the nodules, on the bottom component, to secure the blade body in place when the top and bottom components are clamped together.
- the four cleaning blade edges are similarly exposed as in the ribbed blade configuration discussed above.
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- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to an apparatus used to remove particles adhering to an imaging surface adapted for recirculating motion and comprising a cleaning blade.
- In the process of electrophotographic printing, a photoconductive surface is charged to a substantially uniform potential. The photoconductive surface is imagewise exposed to record an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the informational areas of an original document being reproduced. This records an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive surface corresponding to the informational areas contained within the original document. Thereafter, a developer material is transported into contact with the electrostatic latent image. Toner particles are attracted from the carrier granules of the developer material onto the latent image. The resultant toner powder image is then transferred from the photoconductive surface to a sheet of support material and permanently affixed thereto.
- This process is well known and useful for light lens copying from an original and printing applications from electronically generated or stored originals, and in ionography.
- In a reproduction process of the type as described above, it is inevitable that some residual toner will remain on the imaging (i.e. photoreceptive, photoconductive) surface after the toner image has been transferred to the sheet of support material (e.g. paper). It has been found with such a process that the forces holding some of the toner particles to the imaging surface are stronger than the transfer forces and, therefore, some of the particles remain on the surface after transfer of the toner image. In addition to the residual toner, other particles, such as paper debris (i.e. Kaolin, fibers, clay), additives and plastic, are left behind on the surface after image transfer. (Hereinafter, the term "residual particles" encompasses residual toner and other residual particles remaining after image transfer.) The residual particles adhere firmly to the surface and must be removed prior to the next printing cycle to avoid interfering with recording a new latent image thereon.
- Various methods and apparatus may be used for removing residual particles from the photoconductive imaging surface. Hereinbefore, a cleaning brush, a cleaning web, and a cleaning blade have been used. Both cleaning brushes and cleaning webs operate by wiping the surface so as to effect transfer of the residual particles from the imaging surface. After prolonged usage, however, both of these types of cleaning devices become contaminated with toner and must be replaced. This requires discarding the dirty cleaning devices. In high-speed machines this practice has proven not only to be wasteful but also expensive.
- The shortcomings of the brush and web made way for another now prevalent, form of cleaning known and disclosed in the art --- blade cleaning. Blade cleaning involves a blade, normally made of a rubberlike material (i.e. polyurethane) which is dragged or wiped across the surface to remove the residual particles from the surface. Blade cleaning is a highly desirable method, compared to other methods, for removing residual particles due to its simple, inexpensive structure. However, there are certain deficiencies in blade cleaning which are primarily a result of the frictional sealing contact that must occur between the blade and the surface. This frictional sealing contact often leads to blade failure and as a result requires blade replacement.
- To change a cleaning blade in a conventional xerographic copier a customer service engineer (CSE), technical representative or the like, must, for every blade change, perform sometimes as many as 24 process steps that include completely removing the photoreceptor belt module.
- The conventional process for installing the cleaning blade (average size of the cleaning blade is about a 37 cm x 1.8 cm x 0.2 cm urethane slab) in its present holder requires the CSE to push the blade into the holder channel until the blade reaches maximum penetration (about 1.1 cm) along the entire length of the blade. This is not a simple operation. The blade uses a friction fit to hold the blade in position inside its holder. The blade's snug fit causes it to stick to the sides of the holder and resist being pressed into the channel. Since the blade is pliable, the blade bends as the CSE tries to push it into its proper position, making the job difficult.
- It requires a lot of practice to be able to accomplish the task of installing a new blade in this manner. Even after the blade is finally inserted into the holder channel, it is not obvious whether or not the blade is properly aligned for an even cleaning edge. Although cleaning blades have been able to clean when installed-slightly skewed, a skewed blade can also cause photoreceptor tracking problems. These tracking problems can cause premature failure of the photoreceptor and other failures. A skewed cleaning blade also wears unevenly and causes premature failure of the blade. It is an object of the present invention to enable easier insertion of the blade so that skewing of the blade does not occur.
- JP-A-58-182,680 discloses a cleaning apparatus for an
imaging member 1 in which a blade 4 is attached to a holder 5, the holder 5 in turn being releasably mounted on anarm 6. Thearm 6 is rotatable about an axis 19 between cleaning position (Fig.1) and a blade edge changing position (Fig.4). When in the latter position (apparatus disengaged from the imaging member), the holder and blade are rotatable by 180° about an axis, defined bypin 25, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the imaging member: blade edge 4c replaces (worn) edge 4b. - The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning particles from an imaging surface adapted for recirculating motion, comprising: a cleaning blade having at least two cleaning edges spaced from one another; and means for holding said cleaning blade, said holding means being rotatable about an axis parallel to the imaging surface to position one of the cleaning edges in contact with the imaging surface, and characterised in that the holding means is rotatable by a predetermined angle about said axis, thereby positioning another cleaning edge in contact with the imaging surface, and in that the cleaning blade has at least one further cleaning edge and is removable, reversible and reinsertable in said holding means to position the further cleaning edge in contact with the imaging surface.
- By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic elevational view of a rotatable blade holder;
- Figure 2 is a sectional view of the blade holder containing a ribbed blade body;
- Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating the separate components of the blade holder;
- Figure 4 is a schematic elevational view illustrating the orientation of the blade holder and the blade angle in operation;
- Figure 5 is a schematic of the blade holder with an alternative blade body configuration; and
- Figure 6 is a sectional view of the alternative blade body configuration of Figure 5.
-
- Figure 1 shows a rotatable blade holder having a
top component 90 and abottom component 95 held together on each end by a spring clip orclamp 20. Thebottom component 95 has a channel through which ashaft 30 is inserted. Theshaft 30 extends through the channel in the base of thebottom component 95 intobearings 97, one on each end of theshaft 30, that anchor the blade holder in themachine frame 96. Aspring 10 is helically wound about one end of theshaft 30 between thebearing 97 and the side edge of thebottom component 95 of the blade holder. Thespring 10 expands and contracts in the directions indicated by thearrow 14. The other end of theshaft 30, opposite theshaft 30 end with the helically woundspring 10, terminates in aknob 80. Theknob 80 is used to rotate the entire blade holder to the desired position to place a cleaning edge of theblade body 60 in line contact with an imaging surface (not shown in Figure 1) in order to clean the surface of residual debris. Theknob 80 is pressed forward, in the direction indicated byarrow 13, after which the blade holder is rotated 180 degrees to bring another cleaning edge in contact with the imaging surface. As theknob 80 is pressed forward, thespring 10 contracts and thekey 70 also moves forward in the direction ofarrow 13. Figure 1 depicts, via phantom lines, the forward movement of thekey 70 and theknob 80 when pressed in for rotation. When theknob 80 rotates the blade holder to the desired blade cleaning position, theknob 80 is released allowing thespring 10 to expand to its initial position, thus moving thekey 70 and theknob 80 back to their original positions. There are slots in thekey block 73 that allow thekey 70 to lock into position upon each rotation of 180 degrees or whatever is the desired locking position. - The upper portion of the
bottom component 95 of the blade holder, located above theshaft 30 channel, has a trough orindentation 40 in which a blade rib 65 fits. Therib 65 is inserted into thetrough 40 to guide theblade body 60 into proper alignment within the blade holder. The blade holdertop component 90, in the figure, lies along the longitudinal center line of the top surface of theblade body 60. Thetop component 90 and thebottom component 95 of the blade holder are fastened together by a spring clamp orclip 20 on either end of the blade holder assembly to hold theblade body 60 in place. - Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the blade holder in Figure 1. The
spring clamp 20 has a pressure fit to hold theblade holder components top component 90 of the blade holder has agroove 26 into which the top end of thespring clamp 20 is slidably inserted. The bottom end of thespring clamp 20 has a pronged shape that forms a pressure fit around the neck of ascrew 25 that extends from the base of thebottom component 95 of the blade holder. Thescrew 25 extends far enough from the base of thebottom component 95 of the blade holder, to allow the pronged end of thespring clamp 20 to fit between the head of thescrew 25 and the base of theblade holder bottom 95. The end of thescrew 25 terminates in theshaft 30 enabling a secure hold between theshaft 30 and thebottom component 95 of the blade holder. - To rotate a cleaning blade installed in the blade holder to a new edge is a simple task, as described below. When copy quality is a problem and the cleaning blade is the suspected culprit, the customer can be directed to rotate the blade.
- With continued reference to Figure 2, the
blade body 60 has a total of fourcleaning edges cleaning edge 60a is in line contact with the photoreceptive surface (shown in Figure 4). When theblade edge 60a requires replacing, the blade holder assembly is rotated 180 degrees to second position (2). Thesecond cleaning edge 60b is then placed in line contact with the imaging surface. - The stationary blade holder makes removal of the blade body 60 (when it is no longer usable on the first two
cleaning edges top component 90 of the blade holder can be totally separated from itsbottom component 95 allowing anew blade edge 60d to be easily brought into position. When another new cleaning blade edge is required, the spring clamps 20 are unfastened to allow separation of thetop component 90. Theblade body 60 is removed, reversed and then reinserted in the blade holder using therib 65 for proper alignment of the blade edges. After reassembling the blade holder assembly, the blade holder assembly is rotated 180 degrees back to position (1), and a thirdnew cleaning edge 60d is in line contact with the photoreceptive surface to clean the photoreceptive surface. Rotating the blade assembly 180 degrees to position (2), prepares thefourth cleaning edge 60c for cleaning of the photoreceptive surface. The design of theblade body 60 and the blade holder, with themating rib 65 and groove 40 (see Figure 1), aid proper blade alignment. The order of use of the cleaning edges 60a, 60b, 60c, 60d and rotation between the two positions of the blade holder for cleaning can be varied. - Figure 3 shows the blade holder and its separate components. As already described, the
top component 90 of the blade holder is detachable from the remainder of the blade holder assembly when the spring clips 20 are removed. Thegrooves 26 exist on each end of the top surface of thetop component 90 for the top part of aspring clip 20 to be slidably inserted. Thescrew 25 extends from the base of the blade holder, to secure the bottom part of thespring clip 20. Theblade body 60 lies horizontally between thetop component 90 and thebottom component 95 of the blade holder. Theblade body 60 is aligned in the blade holder by insertion of therib 65, that extends lengthwise down the centerline of theblade body 60, into thetrough 40 in thebottom component 95 of the blade holder. (Therib 65 can be molded or bonded to the bottom surface of the blade body.) Thetrough 40 extends the length of theblade body 60 down the center line of thebottom component 95 of the blade holder. Theshaft 30 runs through a channel under thetrough 40 in the blade holder'sbottom component 95. Also shown in Figure 3 is the key 70 that locks the blade holder in place after rotation, theknob 80 in phantom lines, for rotating the blade holder, and themachine frame 96. - Figure 4 shows the orientation of the blade holder and the blade angle when the copier is in operation. The cleaning blade edge has an angle of 15 to 25 degrees when the copier is in operation. Figure 4 shows one of the four cleaning edges in line contact with the
photoreceptive surface 12. Thearrow 15 indicates the direction of rotation of the blade holder. Theblade body 60 has two cleaning edges (60a, 60d, and 60b,60c respectively on each side of theblade body 60, protruding from the blade holder. Thephotoreceptor belt 18, as shown, moves in the direction ofarrow 17. The figure shows the cleaning blade edge operating in the doctoring mode. However, the cleaning blade edge can operate in either the wiping or doctoring mode. - Figure 5 shows a blade holder with an alternative blade body configuration. This figure shows a
blade body 61 that has a series of apertures or holes through which nodules ornubbins 100 are inserted. Thenodules 100 are located on the top surface of thebottom component 94 of the blade holder and extend upward through the coinciding holes in theblade body 61. The ends of thesenodules 100 terminate in mating indentations on the bottom surface of thetop component 90 of the blade holder. The blade holder assembly and operation of Figure 1 is also applicable to this figure providing some adjustments are made for thealternate blade body 61. This figure'sblade body 61 utilizesnodules 100 and apertures instead of a rib 65 (shown in Figure 1) to align the blade edge and secure theblade body 61 into the blade holder assembly. However, theblade body 61 of Figure 5 still provides fourcleaning edges 60c 60d of theribbed blade body 60 described Figure 4. - Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the blade holder assembly in Figure 5. The
top component 90 of the blade holder has agroove 26 into which the top end of thespring clamp 20 is slidably inserted. The ends of thenodules 100 are received by the mating indentations of thetop component 90 of the blade holder. Theblade body 61 is held in place by a series ofnodules 100 inserted through apertures or holes in theblade body 61. Theblade body 61 has fourcleaning edges spring clamp 20 has a pronged shape that forms a pressure fit around the neck of thescrew 25 that extends from the base of thebottom component 95 of the blade holder. Thescrew 25 extends far enough from the base of thebottom component 94 of the blade holder, to allow the pronged end of thespring clamp 20 to fit between the head of thescrew 25 and the base of the bladeholder bottom component 94. The end of thescrew 25 terminates in theshaft 30, to securely hold theshaft 30 in thebottom component 94 of the blade holder. - In conventional blade cleaning apparatus, misaligned blade is not an uncommon problem. Out of a small population of randomly chosen used blades, 14% had a magnetite stain that indicated skewed wear. This wear pattern can be caused by the photoreceptor not tracking properly or the cleaning blade not being installed properly. Since it is much easier to misalign the blade than the photoreceptor it can safely be assumed that most of these blades were not correctly installed. After the CSE has loaded the blade into its holder, the holder must be clipped (at two locations) onto cleaning assembly brackets inside the machine. Another easy error for the CSE to make is to clip only one side of the holder into position. At a quick glance the holder will appear to be properly installed. This error has also been observed in operating copiers, but it should be noted that this error causes the same problems cited earlier pertaining to skewed blades.
- To decrease the service time needed to change the cleaning blade to less than one minute and to reduce the steps required to accomplish this task, a 180 degree rotating cleaning blade holder as described above can be installed. This blade holder, as already described, includes a stationary holder and an improved blade design that has four cleaning edges (see Figures 1 through 6). By using this holder, the cleaning blade potentially has double the life of a conventional blade before the blade actually needs to be replaced.
- One known form of blade failure is entrapment of a particle, causing a streak on the photoreceptor. It has been noted that a particle trapped on the surface of a photoreceptor can sometimes be released by moving the cleaning blade away from the photoreceptor then returning it to its working position. When a streak failure is observed using a blade holder as shown in the drawings, the customer or CSE could easily cam back the cleaning blade, rotate the holder, then test to see if the failure persists.
- For the cleaning blade to seal against the photoreceptor surface and insure proper cleaning, the blade holder must be sufficiently rigid to prevent bowing. It is recommended that rigidity calculations be performed and an appropriate material be selected for the new holder so that it will provide a uniform blade load across the photoreceptor.
- The typical blade material for cleaning blades is polyurethane. The common fabrication of polyurethane cleaning blades is through the use of a centrifuge. For blade holders as shown in the drawings, it is preferred that the cleaning blade be made without the use of mold release because mold release reduces the reliability of the "mold side" of the cleaning blade. However, if the blade is fabricated using mold release in the centrifuge, it is recommended that the cleaning blade edge be on the air side and not the mold side. Although it is possible to use the "mold side" for cleaning, it is not recommended that the cleaning blade be used on the "mold side" because of its reduced reliability (CSE's do occasionally use the mold side). One method of attaining four cleaning edges that are all from the air sides is to bond two separate blade bodies together on their mold sides, leaving only their air sides exposed on the top and bottom surface of the composite blade body. The overall thickness of the two laminated blades would be equivalent to the thickness of a conventional cleaning blade.
- Cleaning blades made from various silicone materials are also being considered. Silicone blades are made without mold release which is believed to be a chief cause of the "mold side" unreliability problem.
- In recapitulation, it is evident that the cleaning blade holders shown in the drawings are rotatable 180 degrees, between two positions, to allow four different cleaning edges from the same blade body to be used to clean the imaging surface before the cleaning blade must be replaced. In addition, the cleaner blade body reduces the time required to install a new blade and prevents uneven wear on the blade due to improper alignment upon installation. Two blade configurations are discussed above, the preferred configuration comprising a rib molded or laminated perpendicular to the lateral plane of the back surface of the blade body. The rib is used as a guide to easily align the blade body into a corresponding groove in the bottom component of the blade holder for an even cleaning edge. The rib also secures the blade body in place as the top component of the blade holder is clamped in place, allowing the cleaning blade edges to laterally extend from opposite sides of the blade holder. The alternative blade configuration comprises a series of apertures in the blade body through which nodules on the top surface of the blade holder's bottom component are inserted. The top component of the blade holder contains the mating indentions to the nodules, on the bottom component, to secure the blade body in place when the top and bottom components are clamped together. The four cleaning blade edges are similarly exposed as in the ribbed blade configuration discussed above.
Claims (9)
- An apparatus for cleaning particles from an imaging surface (12) adapted for recirculating motion, comprising:a cleaning blade (60; 61) having at least two cleaning edges (60a, 60b, 60c, 60d; 61a, 61b, 61c, 61d) spaced from one another; andmeans (90,95; 94) for holding said cleaning blade, said holding means being rotatable about an axis (30) parallel to the imaging surface to position one of the cleaning edges in contact with the imaging surface, and characterised in that the holding means is rotatable by a predetermined angle about said axis, thereby positioning another cleaning edge (60b; 61b) in contact with the imaging surface,and in that the cleaning blade (60; 61) has at least one further cleaning edge (60c,60d; 61c,61d) and is removable, reversible and reinsertable in said holding means to position the further cleaning edge in contact with the imaging surface (12).
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cleaning blade (60; 61) has four cleaning edges (60a-60d; 601a-61d) spaced from one another.
- An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said predetermined angle is about 180 degrees.
- An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said holding means (90,95; 94) holds said blade (60; 61) so that the cleaning edge (60a-60d; 61a-61d) contacting the imaging surface forms a frictional line contact.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cleaning edge (60a-60d; 61a-61d) contacting the imaging surface (12) forms a cleaning angle with the imaging surface.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cleaning angle formed by the cleaning edge contacting the imaging surface ranges from about 15° to about 25°.
- An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means (90,95; 94) comprises two components between which the cleaning blade (60; 61) is held, the components being separable to permit removal of the blade.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein one (95; 94) of the said components includes means (40;100) for locating the cleaning blade.
- An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said blade (60), upon removal, is rotatable about a second axis, perpendicular to the plane of the blade when held by said holding means, to position said at least one further cleaning edge (60c,60d; 61c,61d) in contact with the imaging surface.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US80393791A | 1991-12-09 | 1991-12-09 | |
US803937 | 1991-12-09 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0546751A2 EP0546751A2 (en) | 1993-06-16 |
EP0546751A3 EP0546751A3 (en) | 1993-09-01 |
EP0546751B1 true EP0546751B1 (en) | 1999-04-07 |
Family
ID=25187806
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP92310939A Expired - Lifetime EP0546751B1 (en) | 1991-12-09 | 1992-12-01 | 180 Degree cleaning blade holder |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0546751B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH05257409A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69228860T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0930802B1 (en) | 1997-12-19 | 2008-09-03 | Texas Instruments Inc. | Microphone bias current measurement circuit |
DE10247366A1 (en) * | 2002-10-10 | 2004-04-22 | OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH | Transport band cleaning unit for electrographic printer or copier using scraping element supported transverse to transport band movement direction |
JP5073463B2 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2012-11-14 | 株式会社リコー | Cleaning device, image carrier unit, and image forming apparatus |
JP2014167535A (en) * | 2013-02-28 | 2014-09-11 | Canon Inc | Cleaning member, cleaning device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus |
JP6308200B2 (en) * | 2015-11-17 | 2018-04-11 | コニカミノルタ株式会社 | Cleaning device and image forming apparatus |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5868776A (en) * | 1981-10-20 | 1983-04-23 | Nec Corp | Cleaning device for electrophotographic printing device |
JPS58182680A (en) * | 1982-04-20 | 1983-10-25 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Cleaning device |
JPS5934579A (en) * | 1982-08-23 | 1984-02-24 | Canon Inc | Cleaning device |
JPS61223773A (en) * | 1985-03-28 | 1986-10-04 | Tokai Rubber Ind Ltd | Cleaning device for electrophotographic copying machine |
-
1992
- 1992-12-01 DE DE1992628860 patent/DE69228860T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-12-01 EP EP92310939A patent/EP0546751B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1992-12-02 JP JP32327292A patent/JPH05257409A/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
Xerox Disclosure Journal, July/August 1980, vol 5,no4, page 439 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0546751A2 (en) | 1993-06-16 |
JPH05257409A (en) | 1993-10-08 |
EP0546751A3 (en) | 1993-09-01 |
DE69228860D1 (en) | 1999-05-12 |
DE69228860T2 (en) | 1999-10-07 |
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