Multiple cleaning blade indexing apparatus
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsBruce E. Thayer, Alvin J. Owens, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for cleaning residual toner and debris from a moving charge retentive surface of an image forming apparatus includes a multiple turret style blade holder located such that an individual blade is selectively indexed into optimum position for cleaning the moving photoreceptor. The blade holder contains a number of cleaning blades mounted radially from a central core and by rotating the holder about its longitudinal axis a specified number of degrees (360.degree./number of cleaning blades on the holder) a new cleaning blade is moved by the indexing device into the cleaning position to replace a failed blade. The indexing device removes the failed cleaning blade and positions a new cleaning blade in frictional contact with the photoreceptor for cleaning.
Claims26
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a moving photoreceptor surface having particles thereon, comprising:
- a support and loading means pivotally and rotatably attached to two end plates of the cleaning apparatus for supporting and loading a blade holder, said means further comprising two support arms to which said blade holder is removably attached;
- said blade holder further comprising two ends, a mounting extension at each end and a plurality of cleaning blades mounted radially from a central core axis of said blade holder with a first cleaning blade in frictional contact with the moving photoreceptor surface during a cleaning operation to remove particles therefrom;
- an indexing means for indexing said blade holder to rotate and position a second cleaning blade into frictional contact with the photoreceptor surface and to space said first mentioned cleaning blade remotely from the photoreceptor surface, said indexing means further comprising a detent disk which is non-rotatably compression spring mounted to said mounting extension and positioned outside a first support arm;
- and
- a means for lifting and lowering said support and loading means to index said cleaning blades.
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a moving photoreceptor surface having particles thereon, comprising:
- a support and loading means pivotally and rotatably attached to two end plates of the cleaning apparatus for supporting and loading a blade holder, said means further comprising two support arms to which said blade holder is removably attached;
- said blade holder further comprising two end, a mounting extension at each end and a plurality of cleaning blades mounted radially from a central core axis of said blade holder with a first cleaning blade in frictional contact with the moving photoreceptor surface during a cleaning operation to remove particles therefrom;
- an indexing means for indexing said blade holder to rotate and position a second cleaning blade into frictional contact with the photoreceptor surface and to space said first mentioned cleaning blade remotely from the photoreceptor surface;
- and
- a means for lifting and lowering said support and loading means, attached to said end plates, to index said cleaning blades,
- said indexing means further comprising a pawl attached to a first end plate and lightly spring loaded against a stop, also attached to said first end plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.