Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6463254
-
Patent Number
6,463,254
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, May 9, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, October 8, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Taylor; Todd T.
- Taylor & Aust, P.C.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 399 350
- 399 351
- 399 358
- 399 360
- 015 2565
- 015 25651
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A toner cleaning apparatus for a printing device includes a toner separator operating against a component of the printing device, to dislodge toner particles therefrom. A toner receptacle is provided for collecting the dislodged toner particles, and an auger positively conveys the dislodged toner particles into the toner receptacle. A vibration plate is provided for receiving the toner particles dislodged by the toner separator, and for directing the dislodged toner particles to the auger. The vibration plate includes lengths thereof extending into the auger and deflected by the auger to induce vibrations along the plate and distribute-and convey toner particles disposed thereon.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to toner cleaning systems in electrophotographic printing devices for removing residual toner from device components, and, more particularly, to an agitation system for improving toner transport through the cleaning system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A printing device, such as a laser printer or copier, using the electrophotographic process includes a photosensitive member, such as a photoconductive drum, which is uniformly charged over the surface thereof. A latent image is electrostatically formed by selectively exposing the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive member. Microscopic marking particles, known as toner, are applied to the electrostatic latent image, and subsequently transferred to the media intended to receive the final, permanent image. The toner image is fixed to the media by the application of heat and pressure in a fuser.
The design and implementation of an electrophotographic process in a printing device requires the handling of toner through a variety of different systems, in order to deliver a solid image to the media. The surfaces of the various components contacting toner within the different systems often require cleaning to remove residual amounts of toner resulting from film splitting, residual charges on the surfaces and the general characteristics of the toner. If not removed, the residual toner on component surfaces can adversely affect the quality of subsequent print jobs.
Current applications are known to use a scraping blade located against a surface to be cleaned in an electrophotographic apparatus, to peel the toner from the belt, roll, or other surface. Another known method to clean surfaces in an electrophotographic apparatus, is to utilize a cleaning web which is located and indexed against the rotating surface, to remove the toner from the surface. A cleaning web system consists of a supply spool, take up spool, nip forming roll and one or more idle rolls. The web material is brought into contact with the electrophotographic component via a spring loaded biasing roll, and the web is driven during the machine operation in order to remove contamination from the surface it contacts. Although both concepts work to some degree, the use of a cleaning web tends to require a large amount of hardware, which is more costly than a blade-type system.
However, the implementation of a blade cleaning system is also difficult, due at least in part to the properties of the toner itself. As the toner is removed from the EP component, the toner must be moved some distance to a waste container provided for receiving and containing the toner. The qualities of the toner generally make the driving of the toner difficult, due to the tendency of toner to adhere to any surface it contacts within the cleaning system, as well as for the toner to adhere to itself in clumps. Therefore, the toner must be driven from the point of contact with the cleaning system, through the system to an auger and then into the waste container in which it is received.
Cleaning systems are known to use the force generated by incoming toner, to push toner through the cleaner system housing and into an augering system. Difficulties can be encountered in a toner driven system, in that the toner may be pushed in unintended directions, as a result of the tendency of the toner to cling to surfaces and clump to itself. Toner leakage can occur, or toner may bypass the cleaning system all together. Additionally, due to the tendency of the toner to clump, the system must be able to handle large toner dumps that may occur if a large clump reaches the auger. If designed to handle a large toner dump, the system may be over designed for normal routine operation. If not designed to handle a large enough toner dump, leakage and other problems can occur. Further, the system must be designed to handle the back pressure generated by toner already in the housing and to handle stress on the components generated by the force of the toner.
What is needed is an improved system and apparatus for moving the toner from the point at which the toner is removed from a printer component to the auger, which positively transports the toner toward the waste container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a simple, yet reliable mechanism for transporting toner through a toner cleaning system.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a toner cleaning apparatus for removing toner from a toner receiving surface of a component of a printing device. The toner cleaning apparatus has a toner separator operating against the component surface, to dislodge toner particles therefrom, a toner receptacle for collecting the dislodged toner particles, and an auger for transporting dislodged toner particles to the toner receptacle. A vibration plate is disposed for receiving toner particles dislodged by the toner separator and for directing dislodged toner particles to the auger. The vibration plate includes a receiving edge and a discharge edge, the discharge edge having first lengths thereof engaged by the auger, and second lengths thereof spaced from the auger.
The invention comprises, in another form thereof, a method for cleaning toner from a component of a printing device, comprising providing a toner separating device and an auger; providing a vibration plate having a receiving edge and a discharge edge, and providing the discharge edge of the vibration plate with first portions and second portions, the second portions being nearer to the receiving edge than are the first portions; operating the separator against the component to dislodge toner from the component; receiving dislodged toner on the vibration plate near the receiving edge; vibrating the vibration plate through engagement of the first portions by the auger; discharging toner into the auger along the second portions of the discharge edge of the vibration plate.
The invention comprises, in still another form thereof, a printing device with a printing station including a printhead having a toner receiving component. A toner separator operates against the component surface, to dislodge toner particles therefrom. A toner receptacle collects the dislodged toner particles, and an auger transports dislodged toner particles to the toner receptacle. A vibration plate is disposed for receiving toner particles dislodged by the toner separator, and for directing dislodged toner particles to the auger. The vibration plate includes a receiving edge and a discharge edge, the discharge edge having first lengths thereof engaged by the auger, and second lengths thereof spaced from the auger.
An advantage of the present invention is providing a mechanically simple and operationally reliable mechanism for positively transporting toner through a toner cleaning apparatus.
Another advantage is providing a transport mechanism that tends to break up and dislodge toner clumps, and minimizes the tendency of toner to adhere to the surface of the toner transporting mechanism.
Yet another advantage is providing a toner cleaning apparatus that reduces toner dumps, allowing reduced sizing of the apparatus, and reduced installation cost for the apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a simplified schematic representation of a laser printer in which the present invention may be utilized advantageously;
FIG. 2
is a cross-sectional view of a toner cleaning apparatus embodying the present invention;
FIG. 3
is a plan view of an agitation plate and auger according to the present invention; and
FIG. 4
is an enlarged view of a portion of the agitation plate and auger shown in FIG.
3
.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to
FIG. 1
, there is shown a printing device
10
, in the form of a laser printer, in which a toner cleaning apparatus
12
having an agitation system
14
(
FIG. 2
) of the present invention may be used advantageously.
It should be understood that the laser printer shown in
FIG. 1
is merely one type of printing device
10
in which the present invention may be used advantageously. Other types of printing devices, including other types and configurations of laser printers, copy machines, facsimile machines or the like may readily employ use of the present invention, to achieve the advantages incumbent therein. The particular embodiment of the laser printer shown in
FIG. 1
should not be construed as a limitation on the use and application of the present invention, nor on the scope of the claims to follow.
The general structure of a laser printer, and the operation of the electrophotographic process used therein, will be readily understood by individuals skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail herein. For reference purposes in describing the present invention, in
FIG. 1
a laser printing station
18
, including a printhead
20
, is shown, which creates an electrostatic image in known fashion on a photosensitive member. Toner is applied to the electrostatic image. It should be understood that in a non-color printer only one printhead may be used; however, in a color printer separate printheads for black, magenta, cyan and yellow toners may be used. The toner image is created on a photoconductive drum and/or image transfer belt
22
, and thereafter transferred to the selected media. The media, such as paper or the like, on which the image is to be printed, is provided from one or more media supply trays
24
,
26
, two such media supply trays
24
,
26
being shown in FIG.
1
. The media follows a media path, indicated by the arrows
28
, from tray
24
or tray
26
through an image transfer nip
30
, at which the image is transferred from image transfer belt
22
to the media. Printing device
10
may include a duplexer (not shown) in which the media sheet is reversed and inverted, for presenting the opposite side of the media to image transfer nip
30
, in proper orientation for receiving an image on the second side of the sheet, after an image has been formed on the first side of the sheet. Media path
28
includes a series of guide surfaces or belt
36
, and guide rolls
38
to direct the media through device
10
. A printed media receiving zone
40
is provided at the end of media path
28
, to accumulated the completed pieces of printed media.
To fix the toner image on the media, a fuser
42
is provided, to apply heat and pressure to the image on the media, thereby causing the toner to melt and flow into the pores or interstices of the media. Fuser
42
includes a hot roll
44
and a backing roll
46
disposed in nipped surface contact, creating a fuser nip
48
through which the media passes.
Referring now to
FIG. 2
, toner cleaning apparatus
12
is shown operating on a toner receiving component
60
of printing device
10
. For printing device
10
shown in
FIG. 1
, toner receiving component
60
may be image transfer belt
22
. In other printing devices, toner receiving component
60
may be a photoconductive drum or other component of printing station
18
which receives, deposits, or otherwise handles toner during the printing process. Toner receiving component
60
has a surface
62
on which toner is received and from which excess or residual toner is to be removed.
Toner cleaning apparatus
12
includes a housing
64
defining an enclosed interior space
66
for receiving, containing and handling toner. Housing
64
has a front
68
toward component
60
, and extends away from component
60
to a back
70
of housing
64
. Housing
64
, which may be one piece of molded or cast material such as plastic, generally has a top
72
and a bottom
74
, as well as sides
76
(
FIG. 1
) and
78
. Top
72
, bottom
74
and sides
76
and
78
define a sealed environment for toner entering interior space
66
through an opening
80
in front
68
such that toner in interior space
66
can not leak from housing
64
.
A toner separator
82
is positioned at front
68
, generally in opening
80
, and operates upon component
60
, to dislodge toner from surface
62
. In the embodiment shown, toner separator
82
includes a blade
84
having an edge
86
positioned in contact with surface
62
of toner receiving component
60
. Blade
84
is attached to a blade holder
88
retained between an upwardly extending flange
90
of top
72
and a lip
92
. During operation, edge
86
scrapes surface
62
, to dislodge residual toner particles from surface
62
. Blade
84
is made from, or coated with polyurethane or other suitable low friction, wear resistant material, and is biased against surface
62
, to remain in contact therewith. Scraping implements such as blade
84
and suitable biasing or holding structures are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in further detail herein. While a scraping implement such as blade
84
is a known, suitable device for toner separator
82
, other known devices, such as brushes, may also be used for toner separator
82
, and the present invention is not to be considered as limited to the use of a scraper. A suitable toner separator is one that operates in acceptable manner on the particular component
60
being cleaned, to dislodge toner particles from surface
62
of component
60
.
On an opposite side of housing
64
from toner separator
82
, back
70
of housing
64
forms a generally trough-like area in which an auger
94
is provided for positively transporting toner particles to a toner receptacle
96
(
FIG. 1
) which receives and retains the waste toner. Toner receptacle
96
is removably mounted in printing device
10
, such that receptacle
96
can be removed periodically and emptied or replaced with an empty receptacle.
As shown most clearly in
FIG. 2
, toner separator
82
is disposed from top
72
of housing
64
. A lower seal
98
is provided between a bottom flange
100
of housing
64
and surface
62
of toner receiving component
60
. Bottom
74
of housing
64
further defines a surface
102
extending rearwardly and upwardly from bottom flange
100
and lower seal
98
to a top surface
104
of bottom
74
. A vibration plate
108
is mounted on top surface
104
, and extends rearwardly toward auger
94
.
Toner separator
82
is disposed generally above, and vertically spaced from vibration plate
108
and lower seal
98
, such that as blade
84
dislodges toner particles from surface
62
of toner receiving component
60
, the toner falls onto vibration plate
108
. Any toner accumulating between lower seal
98
and surface
102
tends to urge lower seal
98
against surface
62
of toner receiving component
60
, and reduces the potential for toner particles to leak past lower seal
98
.
Vibration plate
108
is disposed at an angle downwardly and rearwardly toward auger
94
. To effect the downward disposition of vibration plate
108
, top surface
104
can be sloped downwardly toward auger
94
, and/or vibration plate
108
can be bent downwardly rearward of surface
104
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, the relationship between auger
94
and vibration plate
108
will be described. Auger
94
includes a central shaft
110
and an auger flight
112
disposed thereon. Central shaft
110
is connected to drive means, not shown, for rotating shaft
110
and thus flight
112
thereon. Flight
112
is shown as a single body disposed spirally about the periphery of central shaft
110
, substantially from one end of central shaft
110
to the other end thereof. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that flight
112
can be one or several flight bodies disposed about the surface of central shaft
110
. Further, flight
112
may take several forms or shapes, and need not extend continuously around nor continuously along the length of central shaft
110
. Flight
112
instead may have spaces and/or overlapping areas between adjacent flight bodies.
Vibration plate
108
has a receiving edge
114
disposed beneath and vertically spaced from toner separator
82
. As shown in
FIG. 2
, vibration plate
108
is attached generally along receiving edge
114
to top surface
104
, at bottom
74
of housing
64
. From top surface
104
, bottom
74
is angled downwardly away from vibration plate
108
, so that, throughout a substantial portion of the width of vibration plate
108
, vibration plate
108
is unsupported.
On the opposite side of vibration plate
108
from receiving edge
114
, a discharge edge
116
is provided, and includes alternating first lengths
118
and second lengths
120
thereof. First lengths
118
extend outwardly beyond second lengths
120
, defining projections or teeth that extend into auger
94
. First lengths
118
extend into auger
94
, and are disposed beneath central shaft
110
. First lengths
118
are sufficiently long to engage central shaft
110
, as will be described hereinafter. Second lengths
120
, on the other hand, are disposed just short of auger flight
112
, so as not to be contacted thereby, and instead to be spaced from auger
94
.
In the use of a toner cleaning apparatus
12
of the present invention, toner receiving component
60
is advanced past toner cleaning apparatus
12
, such that toner separator
82
operates against surface
62
of toner receiving component
60
. Specifically, in the embodiment shown, blade
84
of toner separator
82
scrapes against surface
62
, to dislodge residual toner particles therefrom. The dislodged toner particles fall downwardly in housing
64
, and begin to accumulate along receiving edge
114
of vibration plate
108
. Rotation of auger
94
causes downward deflection of vibration plate
108
as auger flight
112
contacts first lengths
118
of discharge edge
116
. As flight
112
rotates along and past any one of first lengths
118
, the downward deflection thereof is abruptly terminated, and that portion of vibration plate
108
snaps upwardly. The affected first length
118
engages against the surface of auger central shaft
110
. Further movement is abruptly terminated thereby, and vibrations are induced in vibration plate
108
. Vibrations in vibration plate
108
cause the toner accumulating on vibration plate
108
to unpack and slide toward toner auger
94
. Vibration plate
108
thereby acts as a toner pump, inducing migration of toner from component
60
toward auger
94
.
Toner reaching discharge edge
116
falls therefrom into auger
94
. While some toner may be carried into the center of auger
94
by first lengths
118
, a substantial portion of the toner will be discharged from vibration plate
108
along second lengths
120
, at the periphery of auger
94
.
The pumping action of vibration plate
108
reduces toner buildup inside of housing
64
. Vibrations along vibration plate
108
tend to break up and distribute the toner particles, which allows for efficient handling of large dumps of toner into the cleaning system. Stress levels on system components are reduced as toner buildup is reduced. Toner is effectively conveyed away from the component being cleaned and toward the positive removal system of auger
94
and toner receptacle
96
. Recontamination of the component being cleaned is reduced, and print quality is maintained.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be farther modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A toner cleaning apparatus for removing toner from a component of a printing device, said component having a surface for receiving toner particles thereon during a printing process, said toner cleaning apparatus comprising:a toner separator operating against said component surface, to dislodge toner particles therefrom; a toner receptacle for collecting the dislodged toner particles; an auger for transporting dislodged toner particles to said toner receptacle; and a vibration plate disposed for receiving toner particles dislodged by said toner separator and for directing dislodged toner particles to said auger, said vibration plate including a receiving edge and a discharge edge, said discharge edge having first lengths thereof engaged by said auger, and second lengths thereof spaced from said auger.
- 2. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 1, said auger having a shaft and an auger flight thereon, and said first lengths of said discharge edge engaging said shaft.
- 3. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 2, said toner separator disposed above said vibration plate, and said vibration plate being vertically spaced from said toner separator.
- 4. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 2, said toner separator including a blade having an edge disposed against said component.
- 5. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 4, said vibration plate disposed at a downward angle from said receiving edge to said discharge edge.
- 6. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 5, said blade disposed above said vibration plate, and said vibration plate being vertically spaced from said blade.
- 7. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 1, said vibration plate disposed at a downward angle from said receiving edge to said discharge edge.
- 8. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 7, said auger having a shaft and an auger flight thereon, and said first lengths of said discharge edge engaging said shaft.
- 9. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 8, said first lengths of said discharge edge disposed beneath said shaft.
- 10. The toner cleaning apparatus of claim 1, said toner separator including a blade having an edge disposed against said component.
- 11. A method for cleaning toner from a component of a printing device, comprising:providing a toner separator and an auger; providing a vibration plate having a receiving edge and a discharge edge, and providing said discharge edge of said vibration plate with first portions and second portions, said second portions being nearer to said receiving edge than are said first portions; operating said separator against said component to dislodge toner from said component; receiving dislodged toner on said vibration plate near said receiving edge; vibrating said vibration plate through engagement of said first portions by said auger; discharging toner into said auger from said vibration plate along said discharge edge of said vibration plate.
- 12. The method of claim 11, including providing said auger with a central shaft and a flight thereon, extending said first portions of said discharge edge to engage said central shaft, rotating said auger and deflecting said discharge edge of said vibration plate with said flight while rotating said auger.
- 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said separator is a blade, and said operating step is performed by advancing said component past said blade and scraping said component with said blade.
- 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said separator is a blade, and said operating step is performed by advancing said component past said blade and scraping said component with said blade.
- 15. A printing device comprising:a printing station including a printhead having a toner receiving component with a surface for receiving toner thereon; a toner separator operating against said component surface, to dislodge toner particles therefrom; a toner receptacle for collecting the dislodged toner particles; an auger for transporting dislodged toner particles to said toner receptacle; and a vibration plate disposed for receiving toner particles dislodged by said toner separator and for directing dislodged toner particles to said auger, said vibration plate including a receiving edge and a discharge edge, said discharge edge having first lengths thereof engaged by said auger, and second lengths thereof spaced from said auger.
- 16. The printing device of claim 15, said auger having a shaft and an auger flight thereon, and said first lengths of said discharge edge engaging said shaft.
- 17. The printing device of claim 16, said toner separator disposed above said vibration plate, and said vibration plate being vertically spaced from said toner separator.
- 18. The printing device of claim 16, said toner separator including a blade having an edge disposed against said component.
- 19. The printing device of claim 18, said vibration plate disposed at a downward angle from said receiving edge to said discharge edge.
- 20. The printing device of claim 19, said blade disposed above said vibration plate, and said vibration plate being vertically spaced from said blade.
- 21. The printing device of claim 15, said vibration plate disposed at a downward angle from said receiving edge to said discharge edge.
- 22. The printing device of claim 21, said auger having a shaft and an auger flight thereon, and said first lengths of said discharge edge engaging said shaft.
- 23. The printing device of claim 15, said toner separator including a blade having an edge disposed against said component.
- 24. The printing device of claim 15, said auger having a shaft and an auger flight thereon, and said first lengths of said discharge edge disposed beneath said shaft and engaging said shaft periodically during operation.
- 25. The printing device of claim 15, including a housing having a top, a bottom and first and second sides, and a seal extending from said bottom to said surface.
- 26. The printing device of claim 25, said auger having a shaft and an auger flight thereon, and said first lengths of said discharge edge disposed beneath said shaft and engaging said shaft periodically during operation.
US Referenced Citations (13)