17866647. IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS simplified abstract (CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA)
Contents
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Takeshi Kinoshita of Chiba (JP)
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17866647 titled 'IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes an image forming apparatus that includes a fixing member, a recovery roller, a cleaning unit, and a controller. The cleaning unit consists of a cleaning web, a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller. The controller is responsible for stopping the rotation of the second roller if the torque applied to the rotor exceeds a certain threshold.
- The image forming apparatus includes a fixing member that fixes a toner image onto a recording material.
- A recovery roller is used to recover toner that adheres to the fixing member.
- The cleaning unit consists of a cleaning web, a first roller, a second roller, and a third roller.
- The cleaning web is wound around the first roller and is supplied to the second roller.
- The third roller presses the cleaning web against the recovery roller to clean it.
- The controller monitors the torque applied to the rotor of the motor that drives the second roller.
- If the torque exceeds a threshold while the rotor is rotating, the controller stops the rotation of the rotor.
Potential Applications
- This technology can be applied in various image forming apparatus such as printers, copiers, and multifunction devices.
- It can improve the performance and reliability of the cleaning process in these devices.
Problems Solved
- The patent addresses the issue of toner adhering to the fixing member and the need for a cleaning mechanism to remove it.
- It solves the problem of excessive torque on the rotor of the motor that drives the second roller, which can lead to damage or malfunction of the cleaning unit.
Benefits
- The cleaning unit effectively removes toner from the recovery roller, ensuring high-quality prints and prolonging the lifespan of the image forming apparatus.
- The controller's ability to stop the rotation of the second roller prevents damage to the cleaning unit and improves overall device reliability.
- The patent provides a solution that can be easily implemented in existing image forming apparatus, reducing the need for costly modifications or redesigns.
Original Abstract Submitted
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing member that fixes, onto a recording material, a toner image that has been transferred onto the recording material, a recovery roller that recovers toner adhering onto the fixing member, a cleaning unit, and a controller. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning web that cleans the recovery roller, a first roller around which the cleaning web is wound in advance, a second roller that winds the cleaning web supplied from the first roller, and a third roller that presses the cleaning web against the recovery roller to clean the recovery roller. The controller stops a rotation of a rotor of a motor that drives the second roller, in a case where a value corresponding to a torque applied to the rotor exceeds a threshold while the rotor is rotating.