Cleaning blade control apparatus and method

An apparatus includes a xerographic cleaning blade, an actuator member operatively connected to the cleaning blade and movable over a first stroke from a first actuator position to a second actuator position, and a damper operatively connected to the actuator member. As the actuator member moves over the first stroke the cleaning blade moves from a first blade position to a second blade position. The damper allows substantially uninhibited actuation of the actuator member over a first portion of the first stroke. The damper damps actuation of the actuator member over a second portion of the first stroke.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to a cleaning blade control apparatus and method as could be used in a number of devices such as, for example, xerographic printing devices.

BACKGROUND

The basic principles of electrostatographic printing with dry marking material (hereinafter generally referred to as “xerography,” “xerographic printing,” and/or the like) are well known: an electrostatic latent image is created on a charge-retentive surface, such as a photoreceptor or other charge receptor, and the latent image is developed by exposing it to a supply of toner particles, which are attracted as needed to appropriately-charged areas of the latent image. The toner particles are then transferred in image-wise fashion from the charge receptor to a print sheet, and the print sheet is subsequently heated to permanently fuse the toner particles thereto and form a durable image. Following the transfer of the image from the charge receptor to the print sheet, residual toner particles and/or other debris left on the charge receptor are typically removed by a blade, a brush, a mesh/web, a vacuum, and/or one or more other suitable “cleaning” or “spot removal” devices. The removed debris is typically accumulated in a hopper and then directed, typically by an auger, into a waste container.

Systems that have employed one or more cleaning blades to separate the debris from their charge receptors have included solenoid driven mechanisms for engaging and disengaging the cleaning blades with the charge receptors. Solenoid drives have generally facilitated simple, low cost, and reliable cleaning blade actuation.

However, an under-damped solenoid drive can cause a cleaning blade to impact or strike the charge receptor at an undesirably high speed on engagement. The resulting abrupt change in frictional drag on the charge receptor can cause motion quality errors and associated image defects for a belt type or a drum type photoreceptor and, additionally, it can cause transverse waves and associated undesirable variations in development for a non-contacting belt type photoreceptor.

Meanwhile, an over-damped solenoid drive can prevent a cleaning blade from cycling (i.e., engaging, disengaging, and then re-engaging a charge receptor) fast enough to meet increasingly high imaging speed demands and/or from moving abruptly enough to facilitate swiping and/or throwing of residual toner from the cleaning blade.

Thus, there is a need for a solenoid driven cleaning blade control apparatus and method that can prevent the cleaning blade from impacting a charge receptor at an undesirably high speed and yet can also still cycle the cleaning blade at high speeds and/or move the cleaning blade abruptly enough to facilitate swiping and/or throwing of residual toner therefrom.

SUMMARY

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an apparatus including a xerographic cleaning blade, an actuator member operatively connected to the cleaning blade and movable over a first stroke from a first actuator position to a second actuator position, and a damper operatively connected to the actuator member. As the actuator member moves over the first stroke the cleaning blade moves from a first blade position to a second blade position. The damper allows substantially uninhibited actuation of the actuator member over a first portion of the first stroke. The damper damps actuation of the actuator member over a second portion of the first stroke.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided an apparatus including a photoreceptor belt, an actuator member movable from a first actuator position to a second actuator position, and a damper operatively connected to the actuator member. The damper is configured to damp actuation of the actuator member. The apparatus also includes a cleaning blade operatively connected to the actuator member. As the actuator member moves towards the second actuator position the cleaning blade engages the photoreceptor belt, and as the actuator member moves towards the first actuator position the cleaning blade disengages from the photoreceptor belt.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method including substantially freely actuating a xerographic cleaning blade over a first portion of a range, damping actuation of the cleaning blade over a second portion of the range, and engaging the cleaning blade with a charge receptor after substantially freely actuating the cleaning blade and while damping actuation of the cleaning blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “printer,” “printing device,” “xerographic printer,” “xerographic printing device,” and the like as used herein encompass any apparatus, such as a digital copier, bookmaking machine, facsimile machine, multi-function machine, etc. which forms a print outputting function for any purpose. Additionally, the terms “cleaning blade,” “cleaner blade,” “xerographic cleaning blade,” “xerographic cleaner blade,” “spots blade,” “spots removal blade,” and the like as used herein encompass any edged or blade-like member or device that is configured to remove residual toner particles and/or other debris from an imaging surface.

FIG. 1is a simplified elevational diagrammatical view showing relevant elements of an exemplary apparatus100in one position. Apparatus100may be incorporated into a suitable overall xerographic printing device1100(seeFIG. 3) or any other suitable printing device that includes a suitable charge receptor120having a suitable charge-retentive surface140. As discussed further in connection withFIG. 3, device1100(seeFIG. 3) may be configured to create an electrostatic latent image (not shown) on surface140, to develop the latent image by exposing it to toner particles (not shown), to transfer at least some of the toner particles in image-wise fashion from surface140to a print sheet or other suitable medium1180(seeFIG. 3), to form a durable image (not shown) on the medium by heating the medium and permanently fusing toner particles thereto, and to advance charge receptor120as generally indicated by arrow160. In the exemplary embodiment, charge receptor120is a non-contacting photoreceptor belt. In alternative embodiments, charge receptor120may be a contacting photoreceptor belt, a contacting photoreceptor drum, or any other suitable charge receptor. Additionally, although the exemplary embodiment shown includes a photoreceptor belt it is noted that alternative embodiments may be used with any other suitable type of belt such as an intermediate transfer belt for some types of color printing. As discussed further below, in the exemplary embodiment apparatus100is configured to, among other things, remove residual toner particles (not shown) and/or other debris from surface140.

Apparatus100includes a substantially fixed support structure180. Structure180is made from a suitably rigid and durable metal, plastic, and/or other suitable material or combination of materials. Structure180includes an axle member200and an axle member220.

Apparatus100further includes a brush roller or roller brush240. Brush240is configured and positioned to, among other things, remove at least some residual toner particles and/or other debris from surface140, and is made from a suitably rigid and durable metal, plastic, and/or other suitable material or combination of materials. Brush240includes a generally cylindrical core260rotably coupled to member200. Brush240further includes a plurality of bristles280extending generally radially outwardly from core260to reach surface140. Apparatus100is configured to, among other things, suitably rotate brush240about member200as generally indicated by arrow300.

Apparatus100further includes a lever arm320pivotally coupled to member220. Arm320is made from a suitably rigid and durable metal, plastic, and/or other suitable material or combination of materials. Arm320is configured to, among other things, suitably pivot about member220as generally indicated by arrow340and arrow360and to be coupled to other parts of apparatus100as discussed further below. Arm320includes an end portion forming a generally cylindrical stud-like member380, an axle member400positioned proximally to an opposing end portion, and an axle member420positioned between member220and member400such that member220is positioned between member380and member420.

Apparatus100further includes a linear solenoid actuator500. Actuator500includes a housing520fixedly coupled to structure180and further includes a shaft540having an end linearly movably positioned in housing520and further having an opposing end pivotally coupled to member420. Actuator500is configured to, among other things, generally linearly move shaft540somewhat inwardly into housing520(as generally indicated by an arrow560) over an inward shaft stroke from a position in which actuator500is de-energized and shaft540is relatively extended from housing520(seeFIG. 2) to an opposing (or “pull in”) position in which actuator500is energized and shaft540is relatively retracted into housing520. Conversely, actuator500is also configured to, among other things, allow shaft540to be generally linearly moved somewhat outwardly from housing520(as generally indicated by an arrow580) over an opposing outward shaft stroke (from the aforementioned relatively retracted, energized position back to the aforementioned relatively extended, de-energized position). Apparatus100also includes suitable electronic control circuitry (not shown) configured to automatically energize and de-energize actuator500during operation.

Apparatus100further includes a linear motion air damper600. Damper600includes a housing620forming a piston chamber640having an adjustable flow valve660, having an inlet/outlet delay port or orifice680, and having a wide opening690. Orifice680is spaced apart from the widely opened end of chamber640by a distance720. Damper600also includes a check valve700and a piston head740. Valve700extends through head740, and head740is movable within chamber640. Damper600further includes a rod760extending through opening690with an end pivotally coupled to head740and an opposing end pivotally coupled to member400. Damper600is configured to, among other things, allow generally linear movement of rod760somewhat inwardly into housing620(as generally indicated by an arrow780) over an inward rod stroke from a position in which head740is distal to valve660and rod760is relatively extended from housing620(seeFIG. 2) to an opposing position in which head740is proximal to valve660and rod760is relatively retracted into housing620. Additionally, it is noted that damper600is configured to allow non-damped (i.e., “substantially uninhibited”) movement of rod760over a portion of the inward rod stroke in which head740moves (generally axially in the direction of arrow780) from the end of chamber640to orifice680, while damper600is also configured to damp movement of rod760over a portion of the inward rod stroke in which head740moves (generally axially in the direction of arrow780) from orifice680to valve660. Damper600is also configured to, among other things, allow non-damped (i.e., “substantially uninhibited”) generally linear movement of rod760somewhat outwardly from housing620(as generally indicated by an arrow800) over an opposing outward rod stroke (from the aforementioned relatively retracted position back to the aforementioned relatively extended position). Meanwhile, opening690provides clearance for generally lateral movements or rocking of rod760during operation as generally indicated by arrows820. Selection of distance720and selection of a suitable damping coefficient for the portion of the inward rod stroke in which head740moves from orifice680to valve660(i.e., the damped portion of the inward stroke) are discussed below. In alternative embodiments, damper600may be replaced with any other suitably configured pneumatic damper, hydraulic (“liquid”) damper, or other type of motion damper.

FIG. 2is a simplified elevational diagrammatical view showing relevant elements of apparatus100in another position. As at least partially discernable from a comparison ofFIG. 1andFIG. 2, apparatus100further includes a coiled spring900extending from structure180to portion380(of arm320). Spring900is configured and positioned such that when actuator500is energized and shaft540consequently moves over its inward shaft stroke and causes arm320to pivot about member220(as generally indicated by arrow340), portion380moves to stretch spring900and, conversely, when actuator500is de-energized spring900contracts and consequently causes arm320to pivot about member220(as generally indicated by arrow360) which in turn causes shaft540to move over its outward shaft stroke. Spring900is made from a suitably rigid and durable metal, plastic, and/or other suitable material or combination of materials.

Apparatus100further includes a xerographic cleaning blade920having an edge portion940, and apparatus100further includes a whisk broom like swiper brush960. As at least partially discernable from a comparison ofFIG. 1andFIG. 2, blade920is fixedly coupled to and extends from portion380(of arm320) and brush960is fixed coupled to and extends from structure180such that as shaft540(of actuator500) moves over its inward shaft stroke portion940(of blade920) moves generally arcuately (as indicated by arrow980) out of engagement with structure180, then into engagement with brush960, then out of engagement with brush960, and then into engagement with surface140(of charge receptor120) and, conversely, as shaft540moves over its outward shaft stroke portion940moves generally arcuately (as indicated by arrow1000) out of engagement with surface140, then into engagement with brush960, then out of engagement with brush960, and then into engagement with structure180. Blade920is made from a suitably rigid and durable metal, plastic, and/or other suitable material or combination of materials. Brush960is made from a suitably rigid and durable metal, plastic, and/or other suitable material or combination of materials. Distance720is predetermined and fixed such that damper600allows substantially uninhibited movement of rod760(and thus, substantially uninhibited actuation of shaft540and in turn substantially uninhibited actuation of blade920) until after portion940(of blade920) moves out of engagement with brush960, and the damping coefficient for the damped portion of the inward stroke of shaft540is predetermined and then fixed (via suitable adjustment of valve660) such that blade920does not strike or impact surface140at an undesirably high speed during operation.

In operation, apparatus100automatically advances charge receptor120(as generally indicated by arrow160), rotates brush240about member200(as generally indicated by arrow300), and energizes/de-energizes actuator500(and thus actuates blade920) to desirably remove residual toner particles and/or other debris from surface140. By damping the actuation of blade920, apparatus100prevents blade920from impacting charge receptor120at an undesirably high speed. However, as apparatus100delays the damping until after portion940moves through its engagement with brush960, apparatus100ensures that portion940strikes or impacts brush960with sufficient force and/or speed for brush960to more effectively prevent undesirable buildups of residual toner particles and/or other debris on blade920. Moreover, by delaying the damping as shaft540(of actuator500) moves over its inward shaft stroke and by avoiding damping altogether as shaft540moves over its outward shaft stroke apparatus100facilitates higher speed cycling of blade920.

FIG. 3is an elevational view of an exemplary xerographic printing device1100which incorporates apparatus100. Device1100is but one exemplary environment in which apparatus100may be used and it is not intended to limit the use of apparatus100to any particular machine or device.

Device1100includes a feeder unit1120, a printing unit1140, and an output unit1160. Feeder unit1120houses supplies of media sheets and/or other substrates1180onto which document images are transferred by printing unit1140. Printing unit1140includes an operator console1200where job tickets may be reviewed and/or modified for print jobs performed by device1100. Pages to be printed during a print job may be scanned by device1100or received over an electrical communication link. The page images are used to generate bit data that is provided to a raster output scanner (“ROS”)1220for forming a latent image on charge receptor120. Charge receptor120continuously travels circuitously in the direction(s) generally indicated by arrow160(see alsoFIG. 1andFIG. 2) and arrow1240.

Device1100further includes a development subsystem1260that develops toner on charge receptor120, and further includes a transfer station1280. The overall function of subsystem1260is to apply marking material, such as toner, onto suitably charged areas forming a latent image on surface140of charge receptor120in a manner generally known in the art. Various alternative devices may include multiple development subsystems1260, such as one for each primary color for color printing or other purposes. Transfer station1280generates electric fields that transfer toner conforming to the latent image(s) to substrate(s)1180.

Device1100further includes a fuser station1300. Device100transports substrates1180bearing toner images to fuser station1300where fuser station1300fixes toner images to substrates1180. Device1100then transports substrates1180to output unit1160. Output unit1160correlates and/or stacks substrates1180to which images have been fixed in trays for pickup.