Electrophotography – Cleaning of imaging surface – Having handling of removed material
Patent
1998-09-24
2000-04-25
Chen, Sophia S.
Electrophotography
Cleaning of imaging surface
Having handling of removed material
399256, 399343, G03G 2100
Patent
active
060554053
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a conveyor means for used toner in a cleaning mechanism of an electrographic printer or copier device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A cleaning mechanism is allocated to the printer or copier device for the removal of toner residues and other particles from the surface of an intermediate carrier, particularly a photoconductor drum. Particles adhering to the intermediate carrier are removed using a stripper element lying against the intermediate carrier.
Such a cleaning mechanism is disclosed by European Patent Document EP-04 640 032 B1. The known cleaning mechanism contains a stripper element extending over the width of the intermediate carrier. This stripper elements scrapes off toner residues and contaminants adhering to the surface of the intermediate carrier. These residues drop into a trough from which they are conveyed out. The trough partially surrounds a conveyor worm that is coupled to a drivable shaft via a claw coupling. The conveyor worm is preferably fabricated of resilient material such as, for example, a spring wire. The used toner is conveyed out of the cleaning station by rotation of the conveyor worm.
It has now been shown that the pourability and flowability of the used toner decreases dependent on the temperature, particularly given employment of developer material that is suitable for high print image resolutions. In the extreme case, this leads to the used toner collecting in the trough of the cleaning station and no longer proceeding into the area of influence of the conveyor worm, which leads to a tunnel formation of toner. In this case, the elimination of the used toner is no longer assured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is based on the object of providing a conveyor means for used toner in a cleaning mechanism of an electrographic printer or copier device that assures that the used toner will be reliably conveyed out of the cleaning station even given used toner having deteriorated flowability and pourability.
This and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by a cleaning mechanism for an electrographic printer or copier device, wherein the cleaning mechanism contains: a stripper element that strips used toner from the surface of an intermediate carrier of the printer-copier device, a trough for catching the stripped-off used toner, a conveyor helix of spring wire partially surrounded by the trough of the cleaning mechanism that rotates around a drive shaft during operation, and a resistance element for acting on the conveyor helix such that the conveyor helix is periodically compressed and released in a pulse-like manner. Developments and improvements of the invention are provided when the resistance element a spring hook that has its free end penetrating between two turns of the conveyor helix into the interior thereof and has its other end stationarily seated relative to the conveying direction of the conveyor helix. In a preferred embodiment, a spacing is provided between conveyor the helix and the trough that is of such a size that a wobbling motion of the conveyor helix as a result of the resistance element is assured.
Due to the means for producing a pulsed motion of the conveyor worm, the used toner proceeds reliably into the area of influence of the conveyor means. As a result thereof, a reliable elimination of the used toner is assured even given reduced flow and pouring behavior. Contamination of the printer or copier device due to uncontrolled emergence of the used toner from the cleaning station can be effectively prevented. Damage to or destruction of the intermediate carrier due to collected, used toner in the cleaning station cannot occur.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An example of the invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawing.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the present invention with a view with photoconductor drum and a cleaning station; and
FIG. 2 is a front view of an inventive
REFERENCES:
patent: 3572555 (1971-03-01), Knight et al.
patent: 4982240 (1991-01-01), Nakano
patent: 5264900 (1993-11-01), Momiyama et al.
patent: 5444522 (1995-08-01), Owens, Jr.
patent: 5481351 (1996-01-01), Kawai et al.
patent: 5734952 (1998-03-01), Murakami et al.
Japanese Abstract, "Preventing Device for Clogging of Powdered Developer in Transfer Path", vol. 7, No. 206, Publication No. JP58102269, Publication date Jun. 17, 1983.
T. Kime et al., "Toner Movement Inducing Device", Xerox Disclosure Journal, vol. 20, No. 3, 1995, pp. 237-240.
Japanese Abstract, "Developer Recovering Device", vol. 10, No. 210, Publication No. JP61048875, Publication date Oct. 3, 1986.
Knott Joseph
Schroder Rainer
Chen Sophia S.
Oce Printing Systems GmbH
LandOfFree
Conveyor for used toner in a cleaning device of an electrographi does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Conveyor for used toner in a cleaning device of an electrographi, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Conveyor for used toner in a cleaning device of an electrographi will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1000993